The UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships 2024 is set to take place from October 18 to 25 at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim, South Goa. The championship will witness over 1700 players competing in a staggering 2600 entries across 12 categories, including Youth Boys and Girls Singles in U11, U13, U15, U17, U19, and the Men’s and Women’s events. This premier table tennis event will bring some of India’s finest talents to the forefront, making it a must-watch for sports enthusiasts. Close to 50 Goan players will be in action during the 8 day event.
In the men’s division, top stars like G Sathiyan, ranked as one of India’s finest and known for his consistency on the international circuit, will be in action. Manav Thakkar, a former world No. 1 in U21 rankings, and Manush Shah, the left-handed dynamo, will also be showcasing their skills. Other notable players include Jeet Chandra, Amal Raj, a seasoned veteran and former national champion, and the young sensation Payas Jain, known for his recent success in international junior events.
On the women’s side, Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee who made history at the recently concluded Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan by winning the bronze medal lead the charge. Diya Chitale, the vibrant young star, and Baisya Poymantee will also compete, alongside Pritha Vatikar and Wani Sayali, both known for their rapid rise in the sport. Yashaswini Ghorpade, a promising young player will add depth to the women’s field with their impressive achievements.
The championship will be inaugurated on October 18 at 10 AM by Sports Minister Govind Gaude, with the presence of distinguished guests such as Kamlesh Mehta, General Secretary of TTFI and former India International player; Arvind Khutkar, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Geeta Nagvenker, Executive Director of the Sports Authority of Goa, Sudin Verenkar, President of the Goa Table Tennis Association (GTTA), and Christopher Menezes, Secretary of GTTA, among others.
A dedicated team of 70 technical officials, led by Competition Director N. Ganeshan, including national and international referees and umpires, will ensure the smooth conduct of the matches, which will run daily from 8 AM to 9 PM. Among these, nine officials from Goa will be lending their expertise. TTFI has a long-term partnership with UTT who are the title sponsors of the event and Stag Global are the equipment partners. The GTTA has extended invitation to players and fans alike to witness the exhilarating action and support the nation’s top talents. With a prize purse of 10 lakhs on offer, the stakes are high.
