KARACHI, Aug 26: Several former international players on Tuesday criticized Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTFF) and urged the authorities claiming that urgent action was needed to save table tennis from further decline.

Addressing a press conference former national champion Munsarim Saif said that they were concerned with the deteriorating standards of the game and had assembled to find ways and means to lift the sport and produce quality players.

He alleged that the policies of Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) had made it a minor sport which was once considered to be a major sport in the country.

Arif Nakhuda, also a former national player, said that they did not want any confrontation but to improve the state of the game.

Secretary Sindh Table Tennis Association (STTA), Saleem Ahmed said it was time the issue for the betterment of sport be raised.

Former women national champion, Nazo Tahir said that they could not sit back and see the sport in such condition where there were no quality players.

She added that the persons engaged with PTTF should know about the sport. She criticized that PTTF officials alleging that they were sincere with the sport.

She said that favouritism and nepotism should be stopped which is the main practice of PTTF. She said that girls having due potential do not have the chance just because the PTTF chief does not like them and the incompetent ones get an opportunity because of his blessings.

Speakers said they would approach the Pakistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Sports Board to seek help in this matter. They said they were also taking legal advice on the matter to resolve the issue once and for all.

Former champions Arif Khan, Javed Ghaffar, Rubina Arif, Javed Chutani, Waseem Sharafat, Naeem Yaqoob, Qambar Shah, Suhail Hayat and Javed Hayat were also present.—PPI