The picturesque city of Kangra, known for its natural beauty and historical significance, is set to host the season opener of the UTT National Ranking Championships on Wednesday. This marks a momentous occasion for Kangra as it will be hosting its first-ever National Ranking event, organized by the Himachal Pradesh Table Tennis Association.
The tournament has attracted an impressive 2,300 entries across 12 categories, including boys, girls, senior men, and women, representing 44 entities from 32 states and 12 institutions. This grand event serves as a platform for young and experienced players alike to showcase their skills and prepare for future national and international competitions.
The championships will begin with the Youth Under-11 and Under-13 events for both boys and girls. Experienced players will also use this opportunity to cement their positions in the domestic circuit and gear up for upcoming international competitions. Notable absences include recent retirees Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath, along with Olympic standby player Ayhika Mukherjee. However, the tournament will feature top paddlers like G. Sathiyan (a Paris Olympics standby), Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar.
The event holds significant importance as a key preparatory event for upcoming tournaments like the China Smash later this month and the Asian Championships in Astana next month. The championships provide a valuable opportunity for players to fine-tune their skills and build momentum before facing international competition.
