GSTTA announces Para TT tournaments in the state to encourage para-sports

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India]:  The Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA) has announced the Para TT tournament for the first time this season with the view to encouraging para-sports.

The decision to this effect was taken by Vipul Mittra, IAS, President of GSTTA at the Annual General Meeting of the association in the presence of senior vice-president Nisheeth Mehta along with other members at the Sports Club of Ahmedabad on May 1.

While the dates will be announced soon, the first tournament will be held in Bhavnagar. The exploits of Bhavina Patel and Sonal Patel will serve as an inspiration as the decision should give a big boost to the para paddlers in the state.

GSTTA also decided to increase the overall prize money in State Ranking and State Championships by 10%. The decision should benefit the players immensely in terms of finances.

Speaking on the occasion,  Mittra, IAS, said, “We have taken some key decisions that could have a far-reaching impact on making the sport popular in the state.”

“We have raised the overall prize money of tournaments by 10%. This decision should benefit players, especially in these tough times, and also boost their morale in general,” Mittra added.

“Keeping in mind with some dazzling performances on the world stage from our para stars, we have decided to focus more on the para TT. We are introducing the Para State tournament this season which will boost the para sports in the state. It will also help us identify our future stars and help them groom better,”  Mittra added.

Continuing with its policy to tap the young talents, GSTTA had decided to introduce the Sub-Junior (U-15) Team Championships in the Inter-District TT Championships in the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, the tentative calendar for the events is also decided with Surat all set for hosting the 1st State Ranking Tournament in June while Gandhidham is slated to hold the 2nd State Ranking Tournament in July. That should be followed by tournaments in Gandhinagar and Valsad in August.

GSTTA also announced that State Championships & Inter-District TT Championships 2022 will be held in Bhavnagar in September-October.

In an important decision, GSTTA’s all-new, all-star Gujarat Super League tournament will be played from June 30 to July 3. The tournament will be held in Ahmedabad.

Underlying the importance of social media in modern times, Mittra asked the district association to get active on various platforms to create awareness.

“We have asked the district Associations to be active on Social Media platforms as it will help them create awareness about tournaments being organised at the local level and corporate level. It is important for the district associations to bring them under their ambit so any activity is in the knowledge of the district associations,” Mittra said. “We should also promote young enthusiastic people to work for the development of the game,” he added.