TNTTA says no to Ankita; paddler confused

Twenty-two-year-old Ankita, a former National champion, had written to the TNTTA last month asking to be registered as a Tamil Nadu player so she could play in ranking tournaments; she felt North Bengal "lacked the facilities" needed for progress.

Ankita Das, who has been travelling to Chennai to train under former National champion S. Raman for the last couple of years, has now decided to shift base to the city.

The Tamil Nadu Table Tennis Association (TNTTA) has denied North Bengal paddler Ankita Das permission to take part in the season’s State-ranking tournaments, which begin here on June 3.

Twenty-two-year-old Ankita, a former National champion, had written to the TNTTA last month asking to be registered as a Tamil Nadu player so she could play in ranking tournaments; she felt North Bengal “lacked the facilities” needed for progress.

In reply, the TNTTA had asked her for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from North Bengal. According to a TNTTA source, there was no response from the paddler.

For its part, the TNTTA has closed the matter by telling Ankita and the Table Tennis Federation of India that “it is not interested.”

TNTTA sources told Sportstar on Monday that it came to the decision because Ankita, who ended last season as India No. 7, was not going to represent TN in any of the National championships as she plays for ONGC.

Moreover, it felt that by giving her an opportunity, it would only deny chances to local players.

Ankita, for her part, said she had mailed the NOC to the TNTTA, but received no response. “Earlier they (TNTTA) seemed interested from what I read in the media. Now I am confused,” she said.

The paddler, who has been travelling to Chennai to train under former National champion S. Raman for the last couple of years, has now decided to shift base to the city.

Soumyajit Ghosh may represent Haryana in Senior Nationals

India’s top paddler Soumyajit Ghosh might represent Haryana in the Senior inter-state & National table tennis championships to be held in Gurgaon (Haryana) from January 6 to 11.

Ghosh said he will not be able to compete in any of the All-India ranking tournaments held between June and November ’16, due to his preparations for/and participation in the Rio Olympics. “I will not be having any (All-India) ranking points and if Petroleum Sports Promotion Board says that I cannot be in its team for the Senior Nationals, then I will play for Haryana. Otherwise, PSPB is my first choice as they are my employers,” said Ghosh.

Known for rewarding sportspersons, Haryana has been on the forefront in supporting top International players, and Ghosh felt that since he is pursuing Bachelors in Business Administration from Manav Rachna International University (Faridabad), he could, after all, represent the State.