Jalandhar, August 23: Never say never. This expression of Charles Dickens Pickwick Papers is true as far as the 700-odd masters of the games assembled here to compete in the UTT 29th Masters National Table Tennis Championships getting underway at the Indoor Stadium of the Punjab Armed Police Complex here from tomorrow.

Nothing is impossible for them, and anything can happen. For them, age is just a number. Their enthusiasm towards the sport they played and loved so much as youngsters have not only still intact but has grown with age. It also explains the fulsome participation of these ageless players from 28 states and institutions in 36 events—40+ to 80+ age categories in the men’s section and from 50+ to 65+ in the women’s section—vying with one another to claim the team titles as well as the singles crowns.

The championships, held under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India through the Indian Veterans Table Tennis Committee (IVTTC), will be conducted by the Jalandhar District Table Tennis Association.

Maharashtra has sent 98 entries, making the western state the largest as in the past and followed by Delhi (64). Surprisingly, West Bengal stands third behind them with less than 40. Yet, the fight for team titles will be among the three teams—Maharashtra, West Bengal and Indian Audit—with the right mix of players and regulars that are in touch with the game even today. That makes them formidable and favourites, including in some singles events. Title holder Abu Rizwan (40+) of the Audit is a force to reckon with, and he would be the man to beat in the lowest age category.

By and large, the sheer number of its contingent has made Maharashtra garner maximum titles and the top perch on the medal tally in previous editions. Though there are several contenders from other states, they will look at Maharashtra paddlers with envy for their seriousness and grit. However, they would feel the absence of Mangal Saraf, especially teammate Ranjana S. Patki, who shared several medals and brought laurels to their state, helped swell the medal kitty.

As usual, the technical team headed by N. Ganeshan and referee Anil Dubey will set the ball rolling with the team events beginning across categories at noon, after the inauguration by M.F. Farooqui, IPS, ADGP, State Armed Police, at 11 a.m. tomorrow. They will have the assistance of 45 other officials, including deputy referee Mangesh Mopkar with international and national umpires.