Competition Comm directs Table Tennis Federation of India to cease, desist from unfair practices

New Delhi, Dec 13 Fair trade watchdog CCI has directed the Table Tennis Federation of India and its affiliate bodies to cease and desist from indulging in anti-competitive practices. The "cease and desist" order has been passed against TFFI, The Suburban Table Tennis Association, Maharashtra State Table Tennis Association, Gujarat State Table Tennis Association and Table Tennis Federation of India on December 12 for abuse of dominance and anti-competitive agreements. The Competition Commission of India started looking into the matter after a complaint filed by the TT Friendly Super League Association in 2021 wherein it was alleged that TTFI and its affiliates indulged in anti-competitive practices, including denial of access to table tennis players for events due to a WhatsApp notice issued by the TSTTA General Secretary and restrictive clauses in the TTFI Memorandum of Association. "The Commission found that the TTFI and its affiliates, through actions such as issuing WhatsApp advisories, public notices, and incorporating certain anti-competitive clauses in their bye-laws, restricted the organisation of table tennis tournaments and sought to prevent players from participating in the events, resulting in violation of certain provisions of Sections 3 and 4 the Competition Act," the release said.