“The National Coach Pressurized Me to Indulge in Match Fixing,” Manika Batra Allegations Against Coach Soumyadeep Roy

“The National Coach Pressurized Me to Indulge in Match Fixing,” Manika Batra Allegations Against Coach Soumyadeep Roy

Manika Batra

Olympian and ace table tennis player Manika Batra was recently caught up in some controversy, after the TTFI sent her a notice with respect to Batra’s refusal to have a national coach by her side during any of her games at the Tokyo Olympics. However in more latest news Batra has thrown allegations that the national coach Soumydeep Roy pressurised her to indulge in match fixing during the Olympic qualifiers.

Batra has stated this to be the reason why she did not want Roy by her side during any of her games at the Olympics. Manika, replying to the Table Tennis Federation of India’s notice, stated clearly that she did not bring any disgrace to the game by refusing the coach’s help.

According to Times of India, Manika Batra said that she could not have someone who had asked her to fix a match sitting by her side, as it would disrupt her focus. Batra said that she wanted to stay away from such a demoralising coach, and took the decision to represent the nation in the best way possible.

Manika Batra Alleges that Soumyadeep Roy Asked the Paddler to Drop a Set for Promotion of his own student

Manika Batra
Manika Batra

Batra alleged that Roy asked her to concede a match against his student in the Qualification tournament for the student to be able to qualify for the Olympics. “The national coach had pressurised me during the qualification tournament in Doha 2021 to concede my match to his student to enable her to qualify for the Olympics- in short- indulge in match fixing,” said the ace paddler.

Batra said that she even had evidence against Roy and would present it to the relevant authorities at the appropriate time. “For asking me to concede the match, the national coach personally met me in my hotel room and talked to me for nearly 20 minutes. He tried to promote his own student by using unethical means.”

Batra said that she did not oblige with the demand at all, and immediately reported the issue to TTFI. The mental pressure from the national coach went on the affect her game she said. Manika said that TTFI did not respond to her email, and refuted the issue without any thorough or transparent investigation.

TTFI President Arun Banerjee said that since the allegations were against Roy, he would be given time to respond to the situation, and the situation would be taken thereafter.

Also read: Tokyo Olympics: TTFI to decide on action after Manika Batra’s refusal to take guidance from national coach