Rajyavardhan Rathore Listens to Table Tennis Players and Parents, Ensures Fair Representation for Rajasthan

Jaipur, Rajasthan – Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Rajasthan's Sports Minister, took a significant step toward resolving the long-standing issues faced by table tennis players and their parents in the state. On Sunday, he held a meeting at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, where he listened to their concerns, primarily regarding the parallel state sports associations operating under the name of the Rajasthan Table Tennis Association.

Key Discussions and Decisions

During the meeting, Rathore also spoke with Kamlesh Mehta, Secretary-General of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), to address the matter. The minister assured players that they would no longer have to compete under separate factions (TTFI-1 and TTFI-2) in national tournaments. Instead, Rajasthan’s athletes will now represent the state under a unified banner—"Rajasthan."

This decision is expected to streamline the process for players to receive awards, cash prizes, and government job opportunities, which were previously complicated due to the split in representation.

Sports First, Associations Later

Rathore emphasized that the state government is committed to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where "sports and players come first, and associations follow." He stressed that sports federations must work transparently and fairly, prioritizing athletes' welfare over internal politics.

Expressing his disappointment, Rathore said, "It is unfortunate that some sports associations prioritize their own interests over players' futures by running multiple parallel bodies. This exploitation will no longer be tolerated." He warned non-compliant associations to reform their operations in line with the Sports Act, failing which strict action would be taken.

Officials and Players Present

The meeting was attended by:

• Dr. Neeraj Kumar Pawan, Secretary of Youth Affairs & Sports Department and Chairman of Rajasthan State Sports Council.

• Several state and national-level players and their parents.

A Brighter Future for Rajasthan’s Athletes

This move marks a significant shift toward fair play, transparency, and athlete-centric policies in Rajasthan’s sports ecosystem. With unified representation, players can now focus on their game without bureaucratic hurdles, ensuring that the state continues to shine in national and international competitions.

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