The Ultimate Table Tennis Tournament will have its fourth season in July

The franchise-based tournament is promoted by Niraj Bajaj, president of Mukand Limited, and Vita Dani, president of 11EVEN Sports, under the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). The tournament first started in 2017.

The tournament has seen Indian players like Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Manav Thakkar, Sutirtha Mukherjee and Manika Batra in previous seasons. Five of the six brands that will participate in the upcoming edition include U Mumba TT, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis, Goa Challengers, Dabang Delhi TTC and RPSG Mavericks Kolkata.

The league also features a new brand — Bengaluru Smashers — owned and promoted by Punit Balan, head of the Punit Balan Group, who is also an investor in the brands of Ultimate Warehouse, Tennis Premier League and the Premier Handball League.

Niraj Bajaj said: “Our main goal is to popularize this sport in India. And the positive feedback that’s been growing every season is exciting. Unfortunately the tournament can’t take place after 2019 but here we are; as we committed on the first day of 2017 to take table tennis in this country to the next level. And to add another world-class tournament to this vast mix in India.”

The tournament was last held in Delhi in 2019, where the Chennai Lions, headed by Indian table tennis player Sharath Kamal won the third tournament by defeating Sathiyan’s Dabang Delhi TTC in the match. final. The second edition was won by Dabang Delhi TTC led by Manika Batra and Sathiyan, while Falcons TTC won the first edition.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the return of the tournament. The pandemic brought the tournament to a halt. But after three long years, our efforts to popularize and develop the sport in India will continue. In partnership with the federation, we will continue to provide a platform for local talent,” said Vita Dani.

TTFI President Meghna Ahlawat and general secretary Kamlesh Mehta said in a joint statement: “The federation is pleased to support and encourage a league that is determined to develop the game in India. This has helped put India on the world map in terms of hosting a world class event in the country and attracting the best talent from the world.”