The event has drawn an impressive 2958 entries, underscoring the sport\u2019s rising popularity. It also marks the first time since 2008 that the Delhi State Table Tennis Association (DSTTA) is hosting a national ranking tournament, though the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) last organised one in the capital in 2012 with support from Haryana.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gurpreet Singh, president of DSTTA, expressed excitement over the unprecedented response. \u201cThe number of entries, 2958, is a strong indicator of the interest the tournament has generated. I don't remember the last time there were these many entries for a national ranking event. We are fully ready to host the event,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tournament, which runs until September 14, will feature 12 events across senior, U-19, U-17, U-15, U-13 and U-11 categories. Among the men\u2019s field, national champions Sathiyan, Harmeet, Anthony Amalraj, and Soumyajit Ghosh\u2014who had faded from the national setup after appearing in the 2012 London Olympics\u2014will headline the action.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the women\u2019s field, Chitale is the favourite in a draw that also features veterans Mouma Das, Madhurika Patkar, Reeth Rishya, and Divya Deshpande.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tournament, which runs until September 14, will feature 12 events across senior, U-19, U-17, U-15, U-13 and U-11 categories. Among the men\u2019s field, national champions Sathiyan, Harmeet, Anthony Amalraj, and Soumyajit Ghosh\u2014who had faded from the national setup after appearing in the 2012 London Olympics\u2014will headline the action.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The organising committee also includes national coach and Dronacharya awardee Sandeep Gupta, who highlighted the tournament\u2019s value for young players. \u201cWith so many national champions part of the field, it is a great opportunity for the budding players in Delhi to see them in flesh and blood and learn from them at the same time. Playing against the best in the country, they would also get to upskill themselves,\u201d said Gupta.<\/p>\r\n\r\n