New Delhi, July 27: The controversy regarding the participation of players from institutions which has been dogging the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for over two decades refuses to die. It continues to be `the' topic of discussion in every executive committee meeting of the federation. It was no different today at the Nehru Stadium here, with members hotly debating the number of institutional entries for Zonal and National championships. Ultimately, it was decided by a voice vote to allow institutions to make a maximum entry of 10 men and 10 women for senior events. It was also agreed to allow `scholarship players' of institutions (without any restrictions) in junior events. But going by the aggressive mood of some of the members who attended the executive meeting today, the last word has not been said on the subject. Another hot topic was the ticklish problem of date of birth of juniors.``Ninety per cent of certificates produced by players and states are manipulated,'' TTFI secretary general Mool Chand Chowhan admitted. ``We find it strange that most players are born either in January or February only. We will now have a cut off year from July 1. The federation will have a medical board to ascertain the correct age of the players and we will issue identity cards from now onwards,'' he declared. The executive committee finalised and approved dates and venues for the Nationals. The Junior Nationals will be held in Bangalore from November 7 to 15, Sub-junior in Chennai from December 8 to 15 and the Seniors at Cuttack from January 5 to 12 next year. Giving details of TTFI's tournament plans, Chowhan said the 14th Asian Cup with the top 20 individuals participating would be held in Mumbai from October 20-22 when a table tennis ball measuring 40mm will be used for the first time in a tournament, in the country. The Commonwealth Championships is scheduled to be held at the IG Stadium here from April 14 to 20 next year after which the Indian team would proceed for the World Championships. The Asian Veterans meet will be held in Goa during August-September next year, as also the Asian Junior Championships in Indore where 20-25 nations are expected to participate. Chowhan said the federation has sent a proposal to the government for clearance of the team to Budapest (Hungary) for participation in the World Youth Festival (August 18-21). A four-member team, consisting of Soumyadeep Roy, Anil Kashyap, Poulami Ghatak and Mouma Das (with V K Aggarwal as coach) will take part in the Children Asia tournament in Russia (August 4-13). ``The team is being sent by the IOA,'' the TTFI secretary general said. Chetan Baboor and S Raman, who have qualified for the forthcoming Sydney Olympics (along with Poulami Ghatak), will have a training session in Singapore from September 1-12 where the Chinese players are also expected to train. For the smooth functioning of the federation, a 10-member executive board was formed today which will have all the powers of the executive committee. ``The current executive (25-30 members) is too big and is not able to meet often,'' Chowhan clarified.
