Prestigious State & Inter District Table Tennis Championships in Gandhidham from Wednesday

Gandhidham Oct. 1: “Late Shree Mahendraray Dulerai Buch” State & Inter District Table Tennis Championships 2019 organised by Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA) supported by Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) begins at KDTTA Sports Complex at Gandhidham on October 2. The prestigious tournament, where the points are double as compared to State Ranking Tournaments, gives an opportunity to all those sitting on the fence to make it to the state teams.

However, the tournament commences with an exciting team encounters between Bhavnagar, Baroda, Ahmedabad and Surat.

Defending Men’s and Junior Boys’ champions Baroda will be once again led by dynamic Manush Shah. The left-hand paddler was instrumental in Baroda’s win at Khokhra Sports Complex last year. Helping Manush along the way in Gandhidham will be Jalay Mehta and Vidit Desai. Both Mehta and Desai have had an average season and are eager to improve upon their performance with Manush on their side.

When it comes to the top stage, it is hard to not consider Bhavnagar as one of the favourites. The team has a blend of youth and experience. Kaushal Bhatt, Nandish Halani and Harshil Kothari form the young brigade guided by the war-horse Jignesh Jayswal. The Bhavnagar’s Men’s team is perhaps the most balanced team in the championships. Jayswal has been pivotal in Bhavnagar’s four triumphs in last five years.

The hosts Kachchh district shall look up to star player Ishaan Hingorani, who is leading the Men’s point tally this season with two titles. Unfortunately, he lacks a proper support. Nevertheless if veteran Mihir Gandhi comes up with something special as he did last season in one of the State Ranking Tournaments, the home team can spring a few surprises.

In the Women’s section, the fight is between Surat and Ahmedabad. Placed in Group A, the two arch rival teams are likely to lock in the final show-down. Surat will be led by defending women’s single champion Frenaz Chipia and they should fancy their chances. She will be having the company of Filzahfatema Kadri.

On the other hand Ahmedabad’s fortunes depends lot upon Kausha Bhairapure. She will have shoulder the singles responsibility with either of Anoushka Chatterjee and Purvanshi Acharya playing the second fiddle.

Bhavnagar placed in Group B, along with Baroda, Porbander and Anand, too have the potential to surprise a few.

Like the Men’s team, the women’s team also comprises mixture of youth and seasoned players. Divya Gohil, who won the State Ranking Tournament title in Anand last month, can give Surat run for the prize money. Bhavnagar Women’s team shall also feature Namna Jayswal and Prarthna Parmar, who have been finalists in the singles event in this season’s State Ranking Tournaments.

Men’s Group

A: Vadodara; Navsari; Porbandar

B: Bhavnagar; Valsad; Jamnagar

C: Surat; Kachchh; Gandhinagar

D: Rajkot; Ahmedabad; Anand

Junior Boys

A: Vadodara; Surat; Porbander

B: Ahmedabad; Arvalli; Navsari

C: Bhavnagar; Rajkot; Kachchh; Anand

D: Runners-Up from Group A; B; C

Women

A: Surat; Ahmedabad; Rajkot; Kachchh

B: Bhavnagar; Baroda; Porbander; Anand

Junior Girls

A: Surat; Baroda; Kachchh; Aravalli

B: Ahmedabad; Bhavnagar; Navsari; Anand

Winners of last five years