Chandigarh, February 26: Notwithstanding the Jat agitations in Haryana that snapped rail-road links to City Beautiful, the Stag 23rd Veteran National Table Tennis Championships, beginning at the Panjab University Gymnasium Hall from tomorrow, recorded more than an anticipated participation of players, from across the country.

In fact, the entries in all six categories—40 plus, 50+, 60+, 65+, 70+ and 75+--touched a new mark of 842 as the veterans in both men and women sections have brushed aside all inconveniences and even discouragement back home to make it to the nationals here. This not only shows how enthusiastic and passionate they are about the sport which shaped many a career during their active playing days.

It was déjà vu for some veterans while for others, who make their regular appearance in World Championships, the nationals will keep the spark inside these individuals intact and provide a much-needed practice before they embark on a trip to Spain for the world meet later this year.

The Chandigarh Table Tennis Association, which is playing hosts this time, is conducting an event of this size after 15 years, thanks to a helping hand lent by the Panjab University authorities. No doubt, the UT government of Chandigarh, too, has pitched in its might and fortunately the weather here is absolutely pleasant and conducive for the veterans to indulge in their passionate pastime.

Another new to the nationals this year is that it is being conducted by the Indian Veteran Table Tennis Committee, affiliated to the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), the parent body for the sport in the country.

Until last year, there were a lot of problems with the Veteran Association conducting the championship without caring for any rule or regulation and, invariably, at its whims and fancies. The Veteran Association was disbanded with TTFI directing all state associations to form Veteran Committees to conduct state-level competitions and select teams for the nationals. Today, all state veteran committees are affiliated to the Indian Veteran Table Tennis Committee (IVTTC) which, in turn, gets its strength and guidance from the TTFI.

Yet, the IVTTC is just a year old and should be able to bring things on track, including framing its policies and guidelines, besides rules and regulations for the conduct of all veteran championships in the country, by next year.

As in the previous edition, Maharashtra has the largest contingent with 132 members while Gujarat takes the second spot with 75 members and Karnataka following them with 65 participants. Except for Kerala, which has pulled out at the last minute owing to rail cancellations, all other states have sent their representatives for the nationals. This also means one can expect fierce competition among the veterans.

Stag International has provided all equipment, including flooring, tables and ball for the five-day championships, said TTFI secretary-general Dhanraj Choudhary, while addressing the managers of teams.

The referees’ team for the championships is led jointly by the two veterans—A.S. Kler and Anil Dubey—while they have the support from Deputy Referees T.G. Upadhyay and H.K. Oberoi and a battery of Blue Badge, International and national umpires.

In the absence of previous year’s results which the disbanded Indian Veterans TT Association had failed to provide, the referees’ team has decided to conduct team championships on a knockout basis with best-of-five games to make it convenient for all.

After the team events on the first two days, the individual events as well as men and women doubles and mixed doubles will take place, said the referees.