JAIPUR: The Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation (CTTF) is considering a review of its constitution. It is exploring the feasibility of becoming a `Limited Company' from its status as a `Federation' as registered now under the Societies Act.

This could happen in June 2008 if Alan Ransome, chairman, CTTF, has his way. "The advantages of being a limited company is that if somebody sues us for negligence, then we can protect the member countries from paying huge amount as damages. A limited company will help us do that," said Mr. Ransome.

"The arguments are so overwhelming that I think nobody will oppose it. It's a sensible move." The CTTF has appointed Philip Avery, legal advisor to look into the legal questions.

Legal suits

Having seen sportspersons and officials in USA suing sports associations for damages successfully, the CTTF, as a precautionary measure, has floated this idea.

"Sports organisations have been on the wrong end of the law of substantial damages as claims. So it is common that it forms a limited company so that the assets of the member countries are not at risk," said Mr. Ransome.

Is getting insured an option? "No" said Mr. Ransome. "There are claims where insurance cannot be claimed. With insurance it is never 100 per cent."

However, the founder-president of CTTF, T.D. Ranga Ramanujam, has his reservations and feels a limited company will have its "own complexities". He says that a solution can be found by making relevant changes in the constitution. "I am dead against it," said Mr. Ramanujam.

The member countries are set to meet at the AGM before the 2008 World Championships in China and what emerges out of it would be watched with interest.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail