The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has taken significant steps to make the 51st Institutional Table TennisChampionships, starting at the Panjab University Gymnasium Hall, anunforgettable event.
The total prize pool hasbeen raised to Rs. 16 lakh with pre-quarterfinalists also receiving a share. Ina unique move, RBI has curated special medals for the winners, inspired by theOlympics—each medal is made of 92% silver, 6% gold, and 2% other alloys—andweighs 300 grams.
The RBI women’s team, ledby Sreeja Akula, the national champion, and Ayhika Mukherjee, is determined toreclaim the silverware. Sreeja, a former world top-ranked player, will bejoined by rising stars Diya Chitale, Harsha Vardhini, and experienced NikhatBanu.
However, their women’ssquad has a tough task in defending the title they won last year even as theorganisation aims to reclaim the silverware—a rare achievement that would be asource of pride and lasting recognition for its players.
However, concerns overSreeja’s recent injury layoff add an element of uncertainty to their campaign.The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) women’s team, despite missingManika Batra, remains a formidable force. With veterans Mouma Das and ReethRishya alongside younger players like Yashaswini Ghorpade and Sayali Wani, PSPBcannot be discounted.
A strong challenge for RBIcould come from the Railways team, featuring Sutirtha Mukherjee, fresh off atitle win at the Panchkula National Ranking tournament, and rising talents likePoymantee Baisya and Anusha Kutumbale. The Airports Authority of India (AAI),with a promising group of young players including Swatika Ghosh and RadhapriyaGoel, could also challenge for a spot on the podium. Other teams in the competitionappear unlikely to break into the top four.
On the men’s side, thePSPB team remains dominant, with a line-up that includes Harmeet Desai, G.Sathiyan, Manav Thakar, Anthony Amalraj, and young P.B. Abhinand—making themfavourites to win any team event. The Railway men’s team, a mix of youth andexperience, will be led by Jeet Chandra, Arjun Ghosh, and Anirban Ghosh. Thehosts, RBI, will look to Manush Shah, Vigney Patel Reddy, and Souvik Roy tostep up as potential dark horses. AAI also has a promising team with playerslike Yashansh Malik and K.J. Akash, who could surprise the bigger teams.
The championships willconclude on the third day with the doubles matches following the medalceremony. In the team draw, defending champions RBI are seeded second after atie-breaker with the Railways, who share similar ranking points.
Competition Manager N.Ganeshan announced that Stiga equipment and DHS balls will be used for theevents. Mangesh Mopkar will serve as the referee, assisted by deputies A.S. Klerand P. Bhaskar, with a team of Blue Badge, International, and National Umpires.
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