Panchkula: The Tau Devi Lal Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium will be buzzing with energy when the fourth UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships opens on Sunday. Over 1,600 paddlers competing across 12 divisions arrive in this northern hub ready to chase points, podiums and that moment of breakthrough, even as Panchkula’s moody November weather leaves them guessing.
Despite the mercury’s mood swings, enthusiasm has not waned. With registrations topping 2,500, athletes from every corner of the country – from the coastal South to the vibrant East and the sporting hotbeds of the West – have come here because they are all convinced that this could be their week. Northern players may enjoy familiar conditions, but for the rest, the challenge is just fuel for another rush to glory.
The withdrawal of several top contenders – Manav Thakkar’s participation is still in doubt after his illness – Indore champion Ankur Bhattacharjee, Delhi women’s defending champion Diya Chitale and U-17 girls champion Riana Bhoota – has reshuffled the draw but has not dampened the excitement. In fact, it has widened the field for determined challengers looking to make their mark on the national circuit. Among the Haryana paddlers, all eyes will be on Suhana Saini, who is keen to seize this opportunity and make up for the missed opportunity in Indore.
However, tomorrow’s action begins with the U-11 and U-13 competitions, where India’s youngest talents will bring the week to life. The U-15 and U-17 qualifiers follow, before the focus shifts to the U-19 and then the senior men’s and women’s clashes – the climax everyone is waiting for.
Among the headliners, Manush Shah, G. Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai – who fell to Ankur in Indore – lead the men’s field. The women’s section features star players like Sutirtha Mukherjee alongside rising stars like Syndrela Das, Divyanshi Bhowmick and M. Hansini. Juniors including PB Abhinand, Priyanuj Bhattacharyya, Kushal Chopda and Punit Biswas continue to threaten the hierarchy and ensure that unpredictability remains a central storyline.
The tournament structure reflects this development: the men’s main draw includes 128 entries with 16 seeds and no byes, while the women’s draw also includes 128 players and features the same number of direct entries as well as multiple byes. The strong participation across all age categories underlines the sport’s growing presence and increasing diversity of talent in India, evidenced by three separate draws with 128 players each.
Under the supervision of competition manager N. Ganeshan, experienced referee AS Kler and a team of 60 experienced officials – including Blue Badge referees as well as international and national referees – the tournament promises high standards. Most importantly, assistant referees Vipin Mehra and Nalin Somani will be available to assist the referee. Twenty-two Stag Global tables, Stag flooring and official game balls set the stage for fast, precise and fast-paced play.
With much at stake and opportunities galore, Panchkula is ready for a week of fierce rallies, rising stars and defining moments that shape rankings and careers. Keep playing.
