Key facts
- Pakistan's top table tennis players must self-fund their participation in the Asian Games.
- The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) cited a lack of funding from the Pakistan Sports Board.
- Players were told they would not receive allowances for national trials.
- Selected players must arrange their own air tickets and daily expenses of USD 50 for the Asian Games.
Pakistan's elite table tennis players have been informed by the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) that they must personally finance their travel and accommodation for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. This decision has reportedly left the athletes shocked.
During ongoing national trials in Lahore, players who inquired about daily and travel allowances were told they would not receive any payment for participating in the trials. Furthermore, those selected for the Asian Games will be responsible for their own airfare and a daily allowance of USD 50 to cover expenses during the event.
When players protested this decision, a senior PTTF official explained that the federation had not received any funds or grants from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). The official suggested the players should be grateful that the trials were being organized at all, given the lack of financial support from the PSB.