In a League of its own!

 

 

Let me begin with a big Thank You to Mrs Vita Dani, Chairperson of 11Even Sports, TTFI president, Mr Prabhat C. Chaturvedi, my colleague and treasurer, M.P. Singh, the Executive Members and the state units.

 

The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has been looking to launch a professional league for a few years now. Why? The question was discussed and debated at our various meetings and everyone was convinced that a pro-league will not only do a world of good but would also raise the profile of table tennis. The examples of the Chinese, Japanese and the European Leagues were before us. We decided we should go ahead with it.

 

We posed ourselves the second vital question: How?

 

The answer to this one was tricky because we had none at that point of time. Not until 2013 when Mumbai hosted the Reliance Global Junior Circuit event where I met Mrs Vita Dani, the sponsors of the global junior event. A few like-minded people along with eight-time national champion Kamlesh Mehta and I broached the subject with Mrs Dani and she seemed passionate with the idea.

 

 

However, the in-principle nod for the pro-league came when she again sponsored the Asian Juniors the next year at Mumbai. She promised to get back and she did within a couple of months after floating 11Eevn Sports, a company to solely promote table tennis. She was not only game for the pro-league but also other developmental activities in table tennis so as to create a pyramid system with its base deeper, broader and stronger.

 

That’s how the pan-India Inter-School Championship originated—the first of its kind in any discipline. It is set to kick of this September-October in all 30 state capitals, virtually at no cost to the local organizers, followed by all-paid-for prize money National School Championship in December at Indore.

 

TTFI cannot thank Mrs Dani enough for what she has done. I am sure her unstinted support to promote the game will take table tennis to new heights.

 

 

Just not that, 11Even Sports will substantially provide funds to TTFI and its national ranking championships—Central, North, South, West and East—besides the Cadet and Sub-Junior, Junior and Youth and the senior national championships. Funding these events means taking a major burden off the shoulders of our state affiliates who, on a rotational basis, organize these events every year.

 

In addition, 11Even Sports will also look after all other developmental activities—organizing various clinics for coaches, referees, umpires, etc.—to change the profile of these people as well. 11Even Sports scheme of corporate event, too, is a good one because it will have on board former players who can be now part of the mainstream. We are very much hopeful that it will be a great hit among the table tennis aficionados.

 

But I must express my gratitude to my president, Mr Prabhat C. Chatuvedi, for his astuteness, knowledge and contribution towards engaging the right people in talks and getting the best out of the deal for the overall growth of table tennis.

 

Taking care of the Pro-League from 11Even Sports side would be eight-time national champion and Arjuna Award winner, Kamlesh Mehta, who is also the director of 11Even Sports. Mehta will have a battery of knowledgeable people in sports and administration to assist him.

 

I must also thank the International Table Tennis Federation, for appreciating our efforts and allotting a special window, and the Asian Table Tennis Union, for agreeing to spare players for the pro-league.

 

The best part about the school and pro-league is that the TTFI has entered into an agreement with 11Even Sports for 10 years in order to take the sport in the country to a different level. The opportunity is knocking at the doors of each and every player in India because they will enjoy the company of top foreign players and rub shoulders while training, playing and travelling with them.

 

 

With all these facilities available, our hopes have soared. In the next 10 years, we expect an Olympic and World Championship medallist in table tennis. Our paddlers have a great responsibility. The onus is on TTFI and its affiliates to shape the future of our players.

 

All our members have to fasten the belt and be ready for the takeoff.

 

Precious moments are a rarity in life. We have one at our hand. Let’s make the best use of it.

 

__ Dhanraj Choudhary