TT duo’s treatment raises questions

The incident of a Bangladesh Table Tennis team handing a walkover to their opponents happened not so long ago -- in 2014 during the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Japan. In that event, Rahima Khatun, Akhi Akter and Sharmin of the women's team were fortunate not to face any punishment from the Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation (BTTF).

Eight years later, as the incident repeated in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games earlier in August, the BTTF took hard measures on two players – Sonam Sultana Soma and Sadia Rahman Mou – by banning them two and one year, respectively, from the international and domestic competitions.

However, by allowing the suspended duo to play the two upcoming domestic competitions – Premier Division Table Tennis League and National Table Tennis Championship - only raised questions regarding the intention of the BTTF officials.

BTTF's executive committee had enough time to serve show-cause notice before taking the initial decision. However, most members of the executive meeting agreed to punish Soma and Mou on basis of the team's manager report, without discussing the merit or demerit of the offence.

After a couple of executive members argued the need for self-explanations from Soma and Mou, show-cause letters were issued to both players later. Turned out, there was wrong information in the letter, which wrongly mentions the match had taken place on August 4, whereas it took place a day later.

Meanwhile, the players had claimed that one of the players was injured, resulting in them skipping the match following verbal communication with the BTTF general secretary Jahangir Alam, who however denied giving them any permission. The executive committee ultimately reduced the margin of punishment after the duo sought exemption.

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), guardian of the country's sports, has also formed a committee on September 19 to investigate what happened in Birmingham. It was also learned from a BOA official that the BTTF officials also tried to pursue the chef de mission to declare both players as 'missing ones and to be reported to the police station,' especially after the duo players failed to pick up phone calls during their visit to their relatives' house.

The investigation committee is yet to consider the players' narratives, even though the written reports from the BTTF officials were taken as the committee was asked to submit their report within 15 working days after formation.

Former player and five-time national champion Manosh Chowdhury demanded a neutral investigation, and added that no player has dared to give away a walkover until officials instruct them.

"I think the punishment was given intentionally. If any players say anything against top three to four federation officials, they must face punishment," said Manosh, claiming that the federation officials tried to take actions against him once but he had countered on legal terms.