Panaji, Jan 6:
World No. 5 Hugo Calderano will spearhead a strong singles field as India gears up for the mega table tennis carnival with the WTT Star Contender Goa 2024, scheduled at the Peddem Indoor Stadium here from January 23 to 28.
Calderano, the former Youth Olympics bronze medallist from Brazil, will be among the 17 Top-20 stars to feature in the singles main draw of India’s biggest international table tennis tournament, co-hosted by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis under the guidance of Table Tennis Federation of India.
Ace Indian paddler Manika Batra, who is currently ranked 35 in the world, reigning national champion Harmeet Desai (WR 75) and Sreeja Akula (WR 89) have ensured country’s presence in the singles main draw with a direct entry.
Four Indian pairs have also secured direct entries in their respective categories. Manika and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran will compete in the mixed doubles while Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee have made the cut for the women’s doubles main draw.
The pair of Sathiyan-Sharath Kamal and Manush Shah-Manav Thakkar will feature in the men’s doubles main draw.
“It’s truly heartening to witness the enthusiastic response from the global table tennis community. The first edition showcased top-tier players, and this year, we continue the tradition with 17 Top-20 paddlers in the singles main draw. With an exciting line-up, we’re set to deliver another mega carnival of table tennis, promising high-voltage action for fans worldwide. In my eyes this event holds special significance for India’s TT community,” said Megha Gambhir, co-founder and CEO of Stupa Sports Analytics.
The growing interest and participation from across the country have been remarkable. Now, with the presence of world-ranked athletes on Indian soil, young paddlers can witness their idols in action, igniting inspiration and fueling their dreams,” she said.
WTT Star Contender Goa is one of the most prestigious events in the international table tennis calendar and it allows players to win ranking points and qualify for the WTT Cup Finals and WTT Champions Series.
