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India Gazette
8 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
WTT launches Indian entity to drive local talent, global integration
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): In a landmark move for the development of table tennis in India, World Table Tennis (WTT) on Wednesday announced launch of WTT Event Management India Private Limited ('WTT India'), a new local entity aimed at delivering top-tier international events, strengthening pathways for Indian athletes, and deepening fan and commercial engagement across the country. The new entity marks a significant step in WTT's mission to expand the sport globally while building strong local ecosystems. WTT India will serve as the anchor for high-performance elite and junior-level events and player development, bringing the world of professional table tennis closer to Indian athletes and audiences than ever before, as per a press release from WTT. The move comes as Indian sport sees strong institutional backing and grassroots momentum, with table tennis gaining traction and a new generation of Indian players rising on the international stage. Since its launch, WTT has rapidly evolved into a dynamic global sporting property, staging world-class events across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. With a presence in over 180 broadcast territories, WTT has transformed table tennis into a year-round, premium sports spectacle, backed by elite venues, immersive production, and digital-first storytelling. At the helm of this transformation is Steve Dainton, WTT Chief Executive Officer and one of the sport's most influential global figures. Since becoming CEO of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) in 2017, Dainton has played a pivotal role in transforming the sport's global growth, most notably as the driving force behind the conceptualisation of WTT since 2019 and its launch in 2021. His leadership continues to drive WTT's expansion into new markets, with India now firmly part of that global trajectory. As the WTT Series continues to scale with marquee events like the Grand Smashes in Asia, Champions events in Europe, and the debuts of US Smash and Europe Smash in Sweden, the launch of WTT India comes at an opportune moment, positioning India at the heart of WTT's next phase of strategic global expansion. 'India represents one of the most exciting frontiers for table tennis globally,' said Dainton. 'The passion is there. The infrastructure is coming. The player base is growing. With WTT India, we're now fully invested in building a long-term ecosystem that's good for India, and good for the game. It's about establishing a presence, creating new opportunities, and integrating India into the very fabric of our global calendar and community.' WTT's presence in India began with the WTT Star Contender Goa in 2023, followed by a successful return in 2024. In 2025, the event took a bold step forward with WTT Star Contender Chennai, elevating the event further in a city steeped in the sport's heritage. Also joining the Board is Vita Dani, one of India's leading sports entrepreneurs and Chairperson of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT). A long-time advocate for athlete development and grassroots investment, Dani also serves on the governing board of the ITTF Foundation and co-founded Dani Sports Foundation, a non-profit advancing physical literacy and sports education across India. 'This is a passion project as much as it is a strategic one,' said Dani. 'WTT India gives us the platform to channel international energy into a local movement. We have the talent, the ambition, and now the structure to dream bigger and deliver. More Indian players will now have the chance to compete in world-class events on home soil, by experiencing the WTT stage up close, and using it as a springboard to the global circuit. That kind of exposure can be game-changing.' Supporting this next chapter is Sharath Kamal Achanta, India's most celebrated table tennis player, who has been appointed as WTT India's official ambassador. A multiple-time Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic veteran, Achanta brings with him decades of experience on the international circuit and an enduring presence in the Indian sporting landscape. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page,' said Achanta. 'The sport has come so far in India, and now, with WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before. I'm proud to represent this next phase--not just as a player, but as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.' As WTT accelerates its global expansion, India emerges as a key pillar in shaping the future of modern table tennis. The launch of WTT India marks a defining chapter in this journey that's driven by purpose, powered by passion, and strengthened through strategic partnerships. (ANI)
Mint
9 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
WTT commits $3-5 mn to boost table tennis in India, targets major events
Gaurav Laghate With a dedicated India arm, WTT aims to scale international events, build player pathways and grow fandom. UTT's Vita Dani joins the board, and Sharath Kamal comes in as ambassador of the Indian venture. L to R - WTT Chief Executive Steve Dainton, WTT India Board Member Vita Dani, and Brand Ambassador Achanta Sharath Kamal Gift this article MUMBAI: World Table Tennis (WTT), the commercial wing of Switzerland-based International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has launched a dedicated Indian subsidiary, WTT Event Management India Pvt. Ltd., backed by a $3-5 million investment pledge over the next 2-3 years. MUMBAI: World Table Tennis (WTT), the commercial wing of Switzerland-based International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has launched a dedicated Indian subsidiary, WTT Event Management India Pvt. Ltd., backed by a $3-5 million investment pledge over the next 2-3 years. The move aims to transform India into a global table tennis hub, with entrepreneur Vita Dani, founder of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) and chairperson of 11Sports, joining the board as a stakeholder and strategic partner, and top Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal coming in as ambassador of the new venture. 'India is the most populous country in the world and an important strategic market for us," Steve Dainton, chief executive of WTT, told Mint. 'With momentum building through UTT and Indian players performing better internationally, it's the right time to deepen our presence." While WTT's global events are structured across tiers—Grand Smashes, Champions, Star Contenders and Feeder events—the India chapter will begin with a few Feeder and youth events and eventually look to bid for a marquee event. 'The three-to-five-year plan is to bring one of our major tournaments to India, possibly even the World Table Tennis Championships," Dainton said. Coexistence, not cannibalization Despite the new alliance, the UTT will continue to operate as an independent intellectual property. 'This is not a merger. WTT India and UTT will co-exist. But we'll have synergy at a broader level to grow the game," Dani clarified, adding that the new entity will be jointly run, with commercial viability as a key guiding principle. 'Leagues like UTT and global properties like WTT are very different formats. One is franchise-based and designed for fan participation and team narratives, the other is athlete-centric and performance-driven. They will complement each other," she said. Dainton echoed the view: 'UTT has created a strong base for the sport and WTT can build on that, starting from media and sponsorships to talent exposure. Managing this locally with people like Ms Dani will be far more effective than operating from afar." Growing the sport, not just events Beyond hosting international events, WTT India is being positioned as a long-term ecosystem builder. The investment includes not just prize pools and operational costs but also grassroots and developmental focus. Dani confirmed that her Dani Foundation, which works on physical literacy and high-performance training, would feed into this pipeline. 'Whether it's academies, youth events, or capacity building, we'll use the existing infrastructure and scale it further through this partnership," she said. WTT, meanwhile, plans to work closely with former Indian table tennis player and 10-time national champion Sharath Kamal to build India's talent pipeline. 'We want more Indian players in the top 50 and to do that, we need regular exposure, world-class events, and ranking points right here," Dainton said. Financial accessibility is also a key component of the strategy. 'Not every Indian player can afford to travel abroad to participate in ranking events. If we can hold more tournaments here, we may move from five Indian players to 15 participating internationally, without leaving the country," Dani said. The commercial play On the revenue side, WTT's India playbook will focus on media rights, sponsorships and fan engagement; however, the executives acknowledge that it's still early days. 'We are starting from a humble base. WTT will invest in marketing, local partnerships and digital infrastructure to identify and build a fanbase for professional table tennis in India," said Dainton. Dani pointed to UTT's growth curve as a proof point. 'In Season 1, we had to request people to show up at stadiums. This year, we had sold-out days. And if we could do that with a league, imagine what a Grand Smash or a World Championship could do." On profitability, she claimed some UTT franchises have already broken even, while others are close. 'As more money flows in and more sponsors come on board, sustainability will improve," she added. What's next The final paperwork is expected to be signed in the coming days. The initial team will be small and cost-efficient. 'There is fantastic operations and administrative talent in India, we'll scale smartly and keep tight financial controls," Dani said. Also read: India's sports economy inches closer to $2 billion Asked whether India could become a top-five market for table tennis globally, Dani said: 'It won't happen overnight. But the trajectory is right, and if we bring quality events with strong Indian participation, it's very achievable." Dainton was more bullish. 'In ten years, I believe table tennis can be the second-most popular sport in India. That's the goal." Topics You May Be Interested In
