Table Tennis Enthusiasm Surges in Maharashtra as Entries Flood State Ranking Tournament
The love for table tennis is experiencing a remarkable surge in Maharashtra, a testament evident in the soaring number of confirmed entries for the upcoming 2nd State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament. Scheduled to take place in Nagpur from August 12, this event promises to showcase the growing passion for the sport within the region.
The 2nd State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament is gearing up to be a historic event with an astounding 900 entries received this year. Proudly announcing this achievement, Adv Ashutosh Potnis, Secretary of both the Maharashtra Table Tennis Association and Nagpur District Table Tennis Association, expressed his excitement during a press conference held at the SJAN Hall. This milestone marks a first in his extensive career as an organizer and official.
The tournament is slated to be held at the Subhedar Hall of Rashtrasant Tukadoi Maharaj Nagpur University in Ravi Nagar. This event marks the second in a series of five ranking tournaments scheduled for the season. The subsequent competitions are set to take place in Chandrapur, Nanded, and either Pune or Thane. The ranking points earned in these tournaments will hold significant value as they contribute to the selection process for the Maharashtra team.
Among the participants, Nagpur's international paddler Jennifer Verghese stands out as the top seed in two age categories: girls U-17 and girls Under-19. Other notable seeded players include Karan Kashyap (U-11, 4th seed), Purvi Renu (Girls U-11, 6th seed), and Ikshika Umate (Girls U-15, 2nd seed and U-17, 3rd seed). The competition will encompass various categories, spanning U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19 for both boys and girls, as well as men's and women's categories. Overseeing the tournament's technical aspects will be a team of 25 officials, led by international referee Mangesh Mopkar in the role of chief referee, with assistance from Deepak Kanetkar.
State-of-the-art infrastructure will be a highlight of the event, with a total of eight brand-new table tennis tables set to be utilized. Additionally, four spare tables will be kept in reserve, ready to accommodate potential match overload. The event is not only a celebration of table tennis but also a platform for recognizing talent and dedication within the sport. A total of Rs 2.5 lakh worth of prizes will be distributed during the tournament, further incentivizing participants to showcase their skills. As the excitement builds and Maharashtra's table tennis community continues to flourish, the 2nd State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament promises to be a remarkable showcase of sportsmanship and dedication.
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