Manika Batra Hits Back At TTFI After Asian Games Snub: 'I Am Mentally Exhausted'

Last Updated:June 26, 2026, 10:47 IST

Manika Batra has questioned TTFI's claim that her Asian Games omission followed the rules, alleging the selection committee itself violated the federation's Constitution.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has hit back at the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) after the governing body defended its decision to leave her out of the squad for the 2026 Asian Games.

The multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who was named among the reserves, questioned the federation’s claim that the selection process fully complied with its rules.

In a strongly worded post on X, Batra alleged that the committee responsible for selecting the team itself violated the TTFI Constitution.

“TTFI, in its response to me, has stated that the entire selection process was conducted strictly in accordance with the rules," Batra wrote.

“However, the documents available with me show that a 9-member Selection Committee decided the Asian Games team, while Article 24(C)(j) of the TTFI Constitution states that no Sub-Committee can have more than 7 members."

“A 9-member committee decided my fate, yet I am being told that the process was fully compliant with the Constitution and the rules."

Batra stopped short of making further allegations, adding, “I will leave it to the people to decide, especially those who have repeatedly said that rules must be respected and followed equally by everyone."

The 30-year-old also admitted that the prolonged dispute has taken an emotional toll.

“I am mentally exhausted from this fight, and for now, I am putting my sword down."

“I have a bigger responsibility today. I am currently at a tournament representing India, and my complete focus will now be on the tournament ahead."

Why Was Manika Left Out?

Earlier this week, TTFI rejected Batra’s objections and maintained that the selection committee had followed the federation’s policy while finalising the women’s team for the Asian Games.

According to the federation, selections were not based on any single criterion but on a broader evaluation that included national rankings, international rankings, recent performances, team balance, medal prospects, strategic suitability and the views of the selectors.

Under TTFI’s selection policy, 50 percent weightage is assigned to national rankings, 40 percent to international rankings and the remaining 10 percent is left to the selectors’ discretion.

Although Batra is ranked World No. 51 in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings, she did not have a national ranking because of her absence from domestic competitions. That significantly affected her overall evaluation. Had she been inside the world’s top 50 when the squad was finalised on June 9, she would have earned an automatic place in the team.

A TTFI source also stressed that Batra’s omission was the outcome of a comprehensive assessment rather than any single factor. After reviewing all eligible players, the selection committee concluded that the chosen five-member squad represented India’s strongest medal-winning combination for the 2026 Asian Games.

Batra was subsequently named as one of two reserves alongside Swastika Ghosh.

About the Author

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

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