Manika Batra threatens legal action against TT points, seeks answers for Asian Games insults

NEW DELHI: Indian skipper Manika Batra has warned the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) of legal action if she is not given a “factual explanation” for what she says is an arbitrary decision to drop her from the Indian team for the upcoming Asian Games.The two-time Olympian made her intentions known on Wednesday, saying she was not seeking special consideration but wanted transparency about the process that led to her omission. She reiterated her appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, urging them to intervene. According to her, there must be “transparency, consistency and responsibility” in the selection process.After failing to meet the TTFI selection standards, which required participation in national-level events, the paddler was dropped from the Asian Games team.Manika said she may go to court if her concerns are not addressed, adding: “I sincerely hope that a clear and factual explanation will be provided. However, if I do not receive satisfactory answers regarding the basis of this decision, I will have no choice but to explore all remedies available to me, including legal assistance through my legal team.”Manika denied speculation about her intention to apply for preferential treatment.“Over the last few days, I have seen many people saying that I am looking for a place in the Asian Games team or that I am asking for special consideration. Let me be clear. I am not asking to be selected. I am not asking anyone to overturn the decision. I am asking for answers,” she said in her latest statement.“That is why I have asked the Honorable Prime Minister and the Honorable Sports Minister to look into this matter. Not because I want a place in the team. Not because I want special treatment.”