The Kerala Table Tennis Association (KTTA) is facing severe questions regarding its integrity after 41 players, including several State champions, signed a protest letter, alleging systematic victimisation at the recent PAX Academy State-ranking tournament held at Izyan Sports City, Kollam.

The players felt aggrieved by last-minute changes to tournament fixtures that deviated from the draw on the Zeetius website, the official digital platform of the KTTA. The new draw forced many top-ranked players and clubmates to face each other in the opening rounds.

The paddlers most affected were those who played in the tournaments conducted by the Table Tennis Association of Kerala (TTAK) till January. The KTTA resumed governance after its affiliation was restored by a Supreme Court Arbitration in October 2025. The protestors also flagged the use of tables unapproved by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and demanded transparency in distribution of prize money.

They also alleged that KTTA loyalists received easier draws. The players also pointed out that fixtures were repeatedly changed during the previous ranking tournament in Ernakulam and their complaints were ignored.

However, the KTTA, in its reply, denied tampering with the final draw published on August 8. It claimed the draw published on the Zeetius website prior to August 8 was unauthorised. The KTTA also stated that it distributed 43% of the entry fee as total prize money in the tournament, denying any promise of a 40% payout per event. It justified the use of unapproved tables due to a high number of entries, arguing no rule forbids it from using them.

The Association blamed the confusion on draws to the failure of the clubs to register their players with the KTTA. Moreover, it pointed out rankings and seedings in the Kollam tournament were also given to those players who participated in tournaments conducted by the TTAK.

The players, though, are not happy with the response and are planning to take up the matter with the Sports Minister, Kerala State Sports Council and TTFI.