Swarna-TNTTA selection spat

The selection to the Tamil Nadu State table tennis teams for the National Championship is done on a rational basis. The top five, based on their performances in State-ranking and the State championships pick themselves, but this time, the State No. 3 J. Swarna, surprisingly, did not find a place in the team for the Nationals at Siliguri.

Swarna, it is alleged, was found wanting in attitude and discipline.
‘Indiscipline’

The Tamil Nadu coach V. Vasu, who went with the team for the Junior and Youth National championships at Indore, wrote to the Tamil Nadu Table Tennis Association (TNTTA) on December 29, cataloguing various incidents of “indiscipline and misbehaviour” by Swarna.

Swarna, it is said, did not respond properly when the coach her asked to inform the other members about a team meeting. Vasu also alleges Swarna did not heed his advice during the fifth game of Tamil Nadu’s quarterfinal encounter against North Bengal.

“I asked her to take a time out in the fifth game and advised her to turn and attack. Swarna apparently replied ‘I cannot move to the corners. It’s quite difficult. I’ll take care.’”

The coach alleges that Swarna had told the other team members that it would be difficult for the players to do whatever the coaches said.
Apology

Responding to Vasu’s letter, TNTTA issued a show cause notice to Swarna on January 16 to explain the charges. In reply, Swarna wrote: “I am deeply hurt. I refute all charges and I would like to state that I have done nothing wrong. I talked to Vasu and explained to him that I would request that the charges may be withdrawn.”

D.V. Sundar, Secretary, TNTTA, explained that it would be incorrect to link these incidents to Swarna’s exclusion. The rules clearly state that if a player does not take part in the State championship — Swarna missed the championship due to exams — the association has the right to exclude him/her from the team bound for a National-level event.

“We didn’t do that. Instead we sent Swarna to Indore as this is the last year for her in the youth (under-21) section. As she failed at Indore, we decided to drop her.”
Voluntary withdrawal

However, it is learnt that Swarna opted out voluntarily, stating that it would be tough to play (in the Senior Nationals) in the strained atmosphere.

Sundar said the next step would be taken by the end of the month when the committee will take stock of the situation. “My intention is not to punish the players but only to reform them,” he said.