Commonwealth Games 2022: Karnataka HC dismisses Table Tennis player Archana Kamath's plea against her exclusion

Bengaluru: Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition filed by table tennis player Archana Kamath, questioning Table Tennis Federation's decision to drop her from Team India for the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2022 to be held in England.

The division bench dismissed the petition on grounds that the matters of selection are within the domain of the expert committee, in this case the Committee of Administrators (CoAs).

The bench also reasoned that the Delhi High Court had also dismissed a writ petition of another dropped player wherein the very selection was challenged.

Archana was initially included in the Indian team as an exception as she did not meet the selection criteria laid down by Federation, but was dropped by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) and Diya Chitale was replaced with her.

Thunderstruck by an unexpected ouster from the team, World No.4 player in women's doubles along with Manika Batra, filed a writ petition in Karnataka High Court against the Union Government, TTFI, Sports Authority of India and other members of the women’s team.

Appearing for the Federation, Senior Advocate Vikram Huilgol submitted that the petitioner's name was floated, but the Director of Sports Authority of India did not make any selection as it was not involved in the selection process.

The matter was then referred to two selectors, the federation counsel said.

Huilgol also submitted that Archana's name was dropped as her performance at the senior nationals held at Shillong was unsatisfactory.

Other players who have been included in the Indian team have gained higher grades than Archana in their earlier matches and tournaments, he said, adding that the petitioner's grade is 37 compared to Manika Batra's 33. (UNI)