The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) took a series of landmark decisions at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, marking one of the most consequential administrative resets for the sport in recent years.
From long-awaited financial relief for domestic players to the formal initiation of an official national league and strong governance actions, the meeting signalled a clear intent to modernise Indian table tennis and bring it in line with global best practices.
At the centre of the AGM was a long-standing demand from players and state associations: better financial support at the domestic level. The federation approved a 10 per cent increase in prize money across all three National Championships, ensuring that India’s leading and emerging players benefit more directly from the country’s growing competitive calendar. Under the revised structure, the Senior Inter-State National Championships will now offer a total prize purse of ₹20.10 lakh, up from the earlier amount.
The Youth and Junior Nationals will have a combined prize pool of ₹8.53 lakh, while the Cadet and Sub-Junior Nationals will be awarded ₹5.09 lakh in prize money. For a domestic ecosystem that has often struggled to provide financial sustainability to players outside the elite tier, this revision represents a significant step forward.
Push towards a TTFI-owned League
Equally significant was the decision to initiate the process for launching an official TTFI League. With the federation’s existing commercial agreement with Eleven Sports set to expire in August 2026, the Executive Committee unanimously resolved that Indian table tennis must move towards a federation-owned and operated league model.
The new league will be awarded through a fresh tender process, inviting sponsors and commercial partners to bid for the rights in a transparent and competitive manner. Importantly, the AGM also agreed that any league contract should be of limited duration, capped at a maximum of five years. This clause ensures that the federation is not locked into long-term arrangements that could limit future commercial growth or flexibility.
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The decision reflects lessons learned from other Indian sports leagues, where long-term exclusive agreements have sometimes constrained revenue potential. By keeping the tenure shorter, TTFI hopes to create a competitive marketplace for its flagship product, potentially increasing the commercial value of Indian table tennis in the coming years.
An official TTFI League is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the gap between domestic tournaments and the international circuit, offering players more high-quality matches, greater exposure, and more stable income opportunities.
Equipment and kitting contract finalised
Another key administrative move was the approval of the equipment and official kitting contract for Stag Global. The award followed a competitive tender process, evaluated by a three-member committee, and the contract will be valid for up to three years.
This decision brings clarity and continuity to the supply of equipment and apparel for national events and teams, ensuring that players and officials have access to standardised, high-quality gear aligned with international requirements.
Regulating WTT events in India
With India’s footprint on the World Table Tennis (WTT) circuit growing steadily, the AGM also reaffirmed the framework governing privately organised international tournaments in the country. While private promoters are free to host WTT events, they must operate within the regulatory structure laid down by TTFI. Under this framework, the federation charges royalties separate from prize money for every WTT event conducted in India. These royalties are designed to ensure regulatory oversight, adherence to national and international norms, and long-term sustainability of the sport.
The approved royalty structure is as follows:
- ₹20 lakh for Senior Star Contender events
- ₹15 lakh for Senior Contender tournaments
- ₹10 lakh for Senior Feeder competitions
In the youth category, the royalties are even higher, reflecting the strategic importance of junior development:
- ₹20 lakh for Youth Contender events
- ₹25 lakh for Youth Star Contender tournaments
By clearly defining these charges, TTFI aims to create a stable and predictable environment for international event organisers while safeguarding the federation’s role as the sport’s governing body in India.
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Beyond commercial and competitive matters, the AGM also addressed long-pending governance issues. Acting under the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the Executive Committee and the AGM approved the removal of Senior Vice-President Dr. Dhevanathan Yadav, who has been incarcerated for over a year. The decision was taken to ensure that the federation’s leadership remains functional and compliant with statutory norms.
In another major move, the Executive Committee, ahead of the AGM, resolved to suspend Secretary General Kamlesh Mehta, pending an inquiry into alleged irregularities. This step underscores the federation’s attempt to bring greater accountability and transparency to its administration at a time when Indian sport is under increasing regulatory and public scrutiny.
A turning point for Indian table tennis
Taken together, the decisions of the January 30 AGM point to a federation attempting to reset its priorities focusing simultaneously on player welfare, commercial sustainability, international integration, and institutional integrity. The prize money hike directly benefits players on the domestic circuit, while the proposed official league could redefine the competitive and financial landscape of Indian table tennis. At the same time, clearer rules for WTT events and decisive governance actions suggest a federation aware that credibility off the table is just as important as performance on it.
For Indian table tennis, long viewed as a sport rich in talent but constrained by limited resources and administrative turbulence, the latest AGM may well mark the beginning of a more stable and ambitious era.
