-- R Ramachandran, TTFI

Indore, October 5: The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has decided to put an end to the never-ending practice of receiving last-minute entries for its championships. The TTFI organizes every year one institutional event, five zonal championships besides the three nationals.

To wriggle itself out of the trouble, the TTFI has introduced the online system of entry as is done universally to arrest the practice, more often than not in collusion with the state associations, of such eleventh hour entries.

The online entry system comes into effect from the Central Zone championships, getting underway at the Abhay Prashal from tomorrow here. It opened a month ago and closed 24 hours before the commencement of the championships. This was a one-time leverage given to the state associations who are still coming to terms with the new system. However, from next zonal onwards, the cut off time for closure of entries will be two weeks prior to the commencement of the event. It will be strictly adhered to.

The TTFI, more so the organizers and the technical officials, felt the need for disciplining the states as well the players who invariably landed up at the venue of the meet with requests to “enter on arrival,” which not only increased the number of groups so suddenly but also upset the draw, delaying the proceedings.

“I am absolutely for the system and it’s really fantastic,” said Jayesh Acharya, the MPTTA secretary-general. “Online entry system is totally foolproof and I am happy that the TTFI chose to introduce it during the Central Zone championships here. It is on par with the ITTF’s online system and it was creditable that the TTFI achieved desired results within a span of six months,” he added.

Despite several polite requests and stern warnings, some state units-and players-took things for granted. But now with the online system put in place, the TTFI has more or less set a precedent.

“We thought enough is enough. For long, we had been showing leniency with our affiliates and players in order to help the latter. But they mistook the gesture as something as a routine and every time came up with some excuses and got away with them,” said TTFI secretary-general Dhanraj Choudhary.

“We won’t allow them any more allowance. From the Indore event, we have made online entry a permanent feature. All states unites have to strictly adhere to the system and no manual or postal or email entry will be allowed henceforth,” he added.

The TTFI, in fact, went to town soon after the AGM in March and informed all state and institutional units to send in their entries for the Central Zone National Ranking Table Tennis championships onwards through online only.

Having proposed and introduced the online entry system, Ganeshan Neelakanta Iyer, a renowned ITTF competition manager and international referee, thanked the TTFI for its vision and support. “This is the first championships (the Central Zone at Indore) the online entry system came into being and several units have applauded the effort. I know there are a few teething problems, but as we go on the issues will be sorted out soon. Even otherwise, it’s a good system and helps one and all,” said Ganeshan.