Radhapriya and Chitrax favourites as TT returns to Bharuch after 12 years

Gandhidham: Season opener winners in men’s and women’s-Chitrax Bhatt and Radhapriya Goel-will be overwhelming favourites at the GNFC 2nd State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament to be organised in Bharuch from June 15 to 18 by the Bharuch District Table Tennis Association (BDTTA) in support with S&R Club, GNFC under the aegis of Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA).

With this meet, Bharuch will break the 12-year long hiatus and be back to hosting live TT action. The last state ranking TT tournament was held way back in 2011.

A total of 614 entries have been received for the meet but all eyes will be on top players like Chitrax, Radhapriya, Burhandudin Malubhaiwala, Namna Jayswal.

However, state no.1 Frenaz Chipia will skip the meet as she will be participating in an international tournament in Bali, Indonesia.

Oishiki Joardar, current India No. 4 in girls U-19 category, and Surat’s prolific paddler FilzahFatema Kadri too will be missing in action in Bharuch.

Biren Shah, secretary BDTTA, said that the venue is all geared up to host the prestigious tournament. “12 years is a long time. We will leave no stone unturned to make a grand comeback to hosting live action,” Shah said.

Top seeds: Men’s: Chitrax Bhatt (AHD). Junior Boys (U-19): Burhanuddin Malubhaiwala (SRT). Junior Boys (U-17): Janmey Patel (ARV). Junior Girls (U-17): Riya Jaiswal (BVN). Sub-junior Boys (U-15): Sujal Kukadia (BVN). Sub-junior Girls (U-15): Mouboni Chatterjee (AHD). Cadet Boys (U13): Jenil Patel (AHD). Cadet Girls (U-13): Daniya Godil (SRT). Cadet Boys (U-11): Ansh Khamar (AHD).