TTFI names 16 probables for CWG, final squad to be picked after national camp from May 23

Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula were on Monday named in the 16-member probables list for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in July-August. SD Mudgil, member of the Delhi High Court-appointed Committee of Administrators running the suspended Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), told PTI that the final squad will be announced after completion of the training camp from May 23 to May 30. In a first, the training camp will be held at Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.

"After their meetings on April 25, May 1 and May 2, the selectors shortlisted the probables for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. "The list was finalised after watching the players at the national championships in Shillong, detailed deliberations and discussions on past performance and medal prospects," said Mudgil, who is a former athlete himself. The CoA, headed by retired Justice Gital Mittal, had taken charge in February after the existing set of office-bearers was suspended by the Delhi High Court for running a "sorry state of affairs".

"We want to take the game to every nook and corner of the country. Our focus is also on making the administration transparent. Justice Gita Mittal has been very proactive on that front.

"The performance of our athletes have also been encouraging of late. They give us a lot of hope going into the CWG and Asian Games (now postponed) and Olympics 2024," said Mudgil. Earlier this month, Indian players including star woman paddler Manika Batra made massive gains in the ITTF world rankings after the sport's governing body approved changes to the points system.