September 27, 2003	Saturday	Rajab 29, 1424

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LAHORE, Sept 26: Former national table tennis captains, players, coach and organisers slammed the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) officials for adopting unfair tactics for not holding the elections of the federation which were due on Aug 15.

Former skippers Irfanullah Khan, Shakeel Ahmed, Pakistan junior team player Qamber Raza, former Pakistan coach Muhammad Awais and an organiser Naeem Yaqoob told a press conference that the elections which were due on Aug 15 had only been delayed after the present president S.H Shah realized that his defeat was an absolute certainity.

Irfanullah said that Shah, who had been running the office for the last 28 years served nothing but damaged the game.

He said Pakistan was ranked sixth in Asia from 1980 to 90, but the standard was deteriorating and was now ranked below 20.

Irfanullah claimed that Shah had only three votes with him—including his own one, of his wife and daughter and alleged that the PTTF president was only interested in foreign trips.

 He also alleged that Shah with his wife went to France where the World Table Tennis Championship was held in August this year whereas no one represented the country in the competition.

Shakeel claimed Shah was no more president PTTF after he had announced the elections.

Former Pakistan coach Awais said that elections was the only solution of the current uncertain situation. Further delay would ruin the game to a large extent.

APP adds: Four out of eight affiliated units have decided to boycott the forthcoming 43rd national championship schedule to be held at Rahimyar Khan from Oct 3-8.

According to letters of decline made available on Friday from Sindh, NWFP, Balochistan and defending men’s champion Allied Bank have refused to take part in the competitions because of litigation.

Besides, four affiliated units, playing right members who regretted to take part in the national championships are Islamabad Table Tennis Association, Pakistan PWD and Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC).