U Mumba TT defeated Dabang Delhi TTC 5-2 to be crowned Dream UTT Juniors Season 2 champions at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Bambolim on Sunday.
Somdev Sengupta led the charge before Ahona Ray delivered the title-clinching win for the table tennis franchise from Mumbai.
Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goa, Dr. Ajay R. Gaude presented the Dream UTT Juniors Season 2 Champions Trophy to U Mumba’s Somdev Sengupta and Ahona Ray, alongside the team CEO Suhail Chandhok, in the presence of Neel Shah, CEO, Dream Sports Foundation.
GOA – SUN, SAND, SEA & SPORTS…
Highlighting the significance of hosting marquee sporting events, Dr Gaude said that tournaments such as Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) are enhancing Goa’s sporting ecosystem while contributing to the state’s economy and global visibility.
“Goa has successfully hosted UTT Season 7 and the Dream UTT Juniors tournament. Our Chief Minister often says that Goa is known not only for its sea, sand and sun, but also for sports. Along with being a premier tourism destination, Goa is now being recognised as a major sports destination. Events of this scale generate economic activity and further strengthen Goa’s identity as a hub for international sporting events,” Gaude said.
He noted that hosting a professional league such as UTT provides Goa with valuable international exposure while showcasing the state’s ability to organise world-class sporting competitions.
“UTT has presented table tennis in a completely new light. Spectators have turned up in large numbers to watch world-class competition, and Goa has enjoyed this experience over the past few weeks. With leading international players participating, the tournament has added tremendous value to Indian table tennis while placing Goa prominently on the global sporting map,” he said.
Gaude also underlined the importance of such events in inspiring the next generation of athletes.
“Young players gain immense motivation by watching the country’s best and international athletes compete. During the Dream UTT Juniors tournament, India’s top-ranked Under-15 player was in action, and such exposure can inspire many aspiring players to pursue the sport seriously,” he added.
Referring to Goa’s successful hosting of several major sporting events, Gaude said the state continues to attract proposals for national and international competitions.
“Goa has successfully hosted prestigious events such as the FIDE World Cup, Ironman, the Asian Bridge Championship, the Asian Gymnastics Championships and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. We continue to receive proposals to host more international events, and the Government of Goa, the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Sports Authority of Goa remain committed to supporting such initiatives that further elevate Goa’s sporting stature,” he said.
