TTFI calls meeting to discuss Manika Batra fixing allegations against national coach-Sports News, Firstpost

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After Manika’s allegation that the national coach asked him to pitch a game in the Olympic qualifiers in March, the federation asked Roy for a written response which he submitted.

File image of Manika Batra. Twitter @jswsports

New Delhi: The Indian Table Tennis Federation (TTFI) called its executive committee meeting on Saturday to discuss allegations by star player Manika Batra regarding match-fixing against national coach Soumyadeep Roy.

After Manika’s allegation, in response to TTFI’s notice of presentation, that the national coach asked him to pitch a game in the Olympic qualifiers in March, the federation asked Roy for a written response that he submitted.

“Manika and Roy will be heard at the meeting and an investigation committee will be formed,” TTFI secretary Arun Banerjee told PTI on Thursday.

National camp in Sonepat

Regarding the ongoing national camp in Sonepat, Banerjee said most players have reported excluding Manika. G Sathiyan, who had preferred to train in Poland, is also expected to reach it in a day or two.

The federation recently made attendance at the camp mandatory for players to be eligible for major events, including the Asian Championships in Doha later this month.

Sutirtha Mukherjee, who did not report to Sonepat at the start of the camp, also reached the stage after recovering from a fever, Banerjee said.

“The rules are pretty clear. You have to attend camp to be eligible for selection,” he said.

No full-time coach since 2018 Asian Games

The federation, which has failed to recruit a foreign coach for more than three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons, is seeking to hire one as soon as possible.

Former Spanish player Alfredo Carneros has emerged as one of the candidates. Indian veteran Sharath Kamal had beaten him at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“We have wasted a lot of time because of COVID. We are on the lookout and talking with a few coaches. A decision will be made soon,” Banerjee added. PTI

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