The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Executive Committee recently confirmed that they have suspended Mr Adham Sharara, former President and current Honorary President of the ITTF, from all activity within or in connection with the ITTF for a period of four years. Mr Sharara was informed of these charges made against him and was presented with the relevant evidence. And this decision taken by World table tennis body has been welcomed by many table tennis lovers across the world. In India we had seen strict implementation of Lodha Committee’s report as directed by the Supreme Court in the game of Cricket. And one of the most important recommendation was pertaining to ‘Conflict of Interest’. The Committee recognised that preventing ‘conflict of interest’ was essential to the regulation of ethical conduct in sport.
The action taken in this case, was on the basis of the ‘Conflict of interest’ during the process of ITTF buying-back its commercial and marketing contracts from TMS International; Interference on the bidding process on a major ITTF equipment contract &Inappropriate use of ITTF funds. The suspension, which was with immediate effect , follows ITTF proceedings that found Mr Sharara had breached his fiduciary duties during his terms of office.
Now, talking about the consideration of ‘Conflict of Interest’ in the case of office bearers of sports federations and associations in India for different sports at district, state and national level, it is high time that that the same is to be implemented strictly, to avoid such actions. As per the Lodha Committee report, there are different forms of ‘Conflict of Interest’ and therefore, it is necessary for every office bearer from different sports bodies to study the same instead of interpreting them in their own way.