TTFI to conduct five domestic events before March

 

 

New Delhi, December 30: The newly-elected executive body of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) set the ball rolling by firming up the domestic calendar of events, dates and venues, announcing as many as five tournaments for the season 2022-23. Over and above, it will also support and help to conduct the Khelo India Youth Games and the Para Nationals.

 

The decision took shape when the Executive Committee, led by president Meghna Ahlawat, met earlier this week to finalise the dates and venues. As a result, TTFI will be organising two back-to-back National Ranking Championships in Gujarat, beginning January 15. Vadodara will host the first ranking event from January 15 to 20, and Surat will follow suit with the second soon after.

 

The announcement was made today by eight-time national champion Kamlesh Mehta, elected as the Secretary General during the December 5 elections, with the rest of the 24-member executive body.

 

In February, the Junior and Youth National Championships will be held in Chennai from February 8 to 16, followed by the Cadet & Sub-Junior National Championships in Alappuzha (Kerala) from February 19 to 27, and Jammu will host the Senior Nationals from March 20 to 27, he added.

 

“Despite the time constraints, the Executive Committee decided to include the two National Ranking tournaments to help the players benefiting from them,” said the Secretary General. He also said that the two events would immensely help the players brush up before the impending Nationals in February-March, besides earning them vital ranking points. “They (the points) would eventually help them get a look-in by the selectors when they pick names for Team India assignments abroad,” he added.

 

Mehta said that TTFI would also extend routine logistical support and help to the Khelo India Youth Games, confirming the participation of top players in the event, organised by the Madhya Pradesh government. “The tournament will be between January 30 and February 3 and held at Indore,” he clarified. 

 

He also said that TTFI would look to conduct the Para Nationals in March and, before the event, will try and conduct a camp for the participants.