WTT India formed to host more high-profile international ranking events
In a major boost to the table tennis ecosystem in India, the World Table Tennis (WTT)—the events wing of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)—has formed WTT India with an eye on hosting more high-profile world-ranking events in the country.
WTT India was formed earlier this month. The country now joins a select group of countries, including China, Singapore, Japan, Germany, and the USA, that have domestic WTT event companies.
A. Sharath Kamal, the legendary paddler who retired earlier this year, has come aboard as the brand ambassador of WTT India, while Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will join as a member of the board of directors.
'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 (sic),' Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, told Sportstar.
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'Having people there 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,' added Dainton.
Sharath was excited to be a part of the project. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with the WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,' he said. 'I am proud to represent this next phase—not just as a player, but also as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.'
India at present, hosts two annual WTT events, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender series tournament. The number is likely to double in the next 12-month cycle with the 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 said.
'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 need to 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.'
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