Manika Batra Not Seeking Preferential Treatment After Asian Games Snub: 'Will Take Legal Action If...'
Manika Batra Not Seeking Preferential Treatment After Asian Games Snub: 'Will Take Legal Action If...' Published By, Last Updated: June 24, 2026, 14:21 IST Manika
Manika Batra Not Seeking Preferential Treatment After Asian Games Snub: 'Will Take Legal Action If...' Published By, Last Updated: June 24, 2026, 14:21 IST Manika Batra, a Commonwealth Games gold-medallist and two-time Olympian, says the TTFI has not communicated the specific reason for her omission. Rapid Read Manika Batra has also questioned the credentials of the selection committee. (PTI Photo) Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has warned of legal action against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) if she is not given a “factual explanation" for what she described as an “arbitrary decision" to leave her out of the Asian Games squad. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time Olympian said on Wednesday that she’s not seeking selection through special consideration but wants transparency over the process that led to her exclusion. Renewing her appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene, Manika said athletes deserve “transparency, consistency, and accountability in the selection process." Manika was omitted from the Asian Games team after failing to meet the TTFI’s selection criteria, which required participation in national-level events. In a fresh statement, the World No. 51 rejected suggestions that she was seeking preferential treatment. “Over the last few days, I have seen many people say that I am seeking a place in the Asian Games team or that I am asking for special consideration. Let me state this clearly. I am not asking to be selected. I am not asking anyone to overturn the decision. I am asking for answers," she said. Warning that she could take the matter to court if her concerns remain unanswered, Manika added: “I sincerely hope that a clear and factual explanation is provided.
However, if I do not receive satisfactory answers regarding the basis of this decision, I will be left with no option but to explore all remedies available to me, including legal recourse through my legal team." The paddler said TTFI has not communicated the specific reasons behind her exclusion and questioned how her world ranking was assessed during the selection process. “I am currently World No. 51. Rankings in table tennis are updated every week and operate on a rolling points system. That naturally raises important questions. What time-line was considered while evaluating rankings? Was the assessment based on the previous 12 month, six months, the previous two months, or a single weekly ranking snapshot?" she asked. “If an athlete who has consistently been around the Top 50 moves from 50 to 51 over a week or two, does that suddenly make her ineligible? These are questions that deserve clear answers," she said. Addressing criticism over her absence from domestic tournaments, Manika argued that her international commitments should have been factored into the selection process. “I have immense respect for national events and have always been proud to compete in them. But athletes competing regularly on the international circuit often have to manage an intense global calendar, recovery periods, travel, visa processing and preparation for major events. “Domestic participation cannot be viewed in isolation from international commitments. Having said that, I will certainly be more mindful of participating in national events going forward and will continue to do my best to contribute to Indian table tennis at every level," she pointed out.
The BriefWire