In a serious increase to the table tennis ecosystem in India, the World Table Tennis (WTT) – the occasions arm of the International Table Tennis Federation – has shaped WTT India, the India chapter, with a watch on internet hosting more high-profile world-ranking occasions in India.
WTT India, the occasion administration firm, was shaped earlier this month, with India becoming a member of a choose group of nations like China, Singapore, Japan, Germany and USA to have home WTT occasion firms.
A. Sharath Kamal, the legendary paddler who retired earlier this yr, has come aboard because the model ambassador of WTT India, whereas Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will be a part of as a member of the board of administrators.
“You will start to see more WTT events and more international events. Eventually, in the next few years, you will start to see some of our bigger events coming here, whether that’s Champions, we will explore Smash in the future as well. Although it’s a different road to get that, hopefully even World Championships and big events on that scale,” Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, advised The Hindu.
“Having people then that are working day-to-day on World Table Tennis will help us to achieve that quicker than having just us based out of Singapore trying to make it happen.”
Sharath was excited to be part of the mission. “This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,” he stated. “I am proud to represent this next phase — not just as a player, but as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.”
India at current hosts two annual WTT occasions, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender sequence event. The quantity is probably going to double within the subsequent 12-month cycle with the brand new partnership.
“We only have to grow from here. I am hoping that we as a country are able to host 2036 and if that is the case, then this would be an ideal roadmap to lead up to the Olympics in India. I don’t think we can ask for a better opportunity than this or a better partnership than this as far as table tennis is concerned,” Dani stated.
“As you have seen, India has done exceedingly well in the last seven to eight years, better than ever before. For us to really ensure that we tap into the right talent, we get the right champions ahead, The WTT partnership will bring a lot of value to us and I think it’s important for us as a country to have a partnership like this.”
Published – June 18, 2025 07:30 am IST
