Indian Sports Ministry has objected to the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) appointing a former office bearer as Chief Executive Officer. They believe the appointment goes against the National Sports Code. It promotes ‘good governance practices’ in National Sports Federations (NSFs). Previously TTFI appointed former secretary general MP Singh as CEO in its Annual General Meeting in July this year. Singh served as treasurer of the TTFI from 2013-17.
Then he served as the general secretary from 2017-2021. In a 2022 circular to NSFs and IOA, the Sports Ministry stated that it is against the spirit of the Sports Code’s rules for ineligible exiting office bearers to return as the federation’s CEO. In a letter to TTFI on Wednesday, the Ministry requested that it “take appropriate action in the matter.” Citing the government circular on CEO appointments.
According to the TTFI constitution, which is in line with the Sports Code. The treasurer and secretary general may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms of four years each. Following that, they must wait at least one term of four years before running for office again. It has been learned that although Singh’s appointment was approved by the house. Several members objected to it during the AGM.
Sports Ministry and TTFI clash over CEO Appointment
As per the statement, “It has come to the notice of this Ministry that TTFI has appointed Shri M.P. Singh as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to look after all administrative matters of TTFI. To ensure good governance practices in the management of National Sports Federations (NSFs) this Ministry issued letter no. 92-1/2020-SP-III dated 28.02.2022 which is self-explanatory.”
“TTFI is, therefore, requested to take appropriate action in the matter. This issue has been considered in the Ministry and it has been decided that any person who has held an elected post in IOA and an NSF in the past, should not be appointed as CEO. The Sports Ministry is looking to bring a Sports Bill to promote good governance practices in sports bodies and therefore it is going to take up such things very seriously.”
