While the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has been increasing the entry fee for a national-ranking table tennis tournament every year recently, it has been stingy when it comes to rewarding the players.
After a long wait, the players could get more rewards with the federation promising to pass on a chunk of the additional revenue it generates through entry fees.
Rise of 200%
Since 2011, the entry fee has seen a rise of at least 200%, with the TTFI charging more for at least a bunch of players with every passing year.
On the other hand, the prize money has been revised only three times in the last eight seasons, including the current year.
While the total prize money has been raised by 30% since 2011, the largest individual prize purse — that of the men’s singles champion in each of the five national-ranking tournaments every year — has increased only by 17%.
It is intriguing that despite getting 11Sports as a title sponsor since 2016, the federation has not passed on the additional bucks to the players, let alone reducing the entry fee.
Displeasure voiced
During the Central Zone National-ranking tournament, which concluded on Wednesday, a plethora of players, coaches and parents voiced their displeasure over the TTFI’s apathy towards players.
When The Hindu posed this question to M.P. Singh, the TTFI general secretary, he said the issue is being addressed.
“We have realised that the hike in the entry fee doesn’t translate into increase in the prize money.
“I agree it is a little unfair to the players and the TTFI executive committee, during its recent meeting, has decided that at least half of the additional entry fee revenue should be passed on to the players as prize money very soon,” Singh said.
“Since the minutes of the meeting haven’t been ratified, we couldn’t implement it for the Central Zone tournament.
“We hope to introduce the benefit to players for the remaining season.”
