Frenaz, Filzah eye to make it two-in-a-row

ANAND, Oct. 13: Frenaz Chipia and Filzah Fatema Kadri will be in limelight as the duo from Surat will eye for back-to-back titles at the Rotomag 3rd Gujarat State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament 2021 that will be held at the Yugpurush Vivekanand Sports Complex in Bakrol, Anand from October 14 to 17.
While Frenaz will lead the charge in the Women’s draw Filzah will be hoping to maintain her dominance in the Junior Girls’ (U-19) category, where her teammate Aafrien Murad can pose a serious challenge in the tournament being organised by the Anand District Table Tennis Association under the aegis of Gujarat State Table Tennis Association.
However, things can get trickier in the Junior Girls’ (U-17) and Sub Junior Girls’ (U-15) categories with a host of exciting talents like Ahmedabad’s Nidhi Prajapati and Pratha Pawar along with Surat’s Arnee Parmar possesses the immense potential to win the title.
Young Pratha will also be a strong contender for the Cadet Girls’ (U-13) category of the tournament co-sponsored by Atlanta Electricals and Charottar Gas.
On the other side of the draw, Kachchh’s Ishaan Hingorani has a bright chance to win the men’s title after finishing runners-up at Gandhidham and Jamnagar earlier.
Burhanuddin Malubhai will hope for a similar fate in the Junior Boys’ (U-19) category while the youngster from Surat will be looking to maintain dominance in the U-17 category.
Sub Junior and Cadet categories can throw some exciting scenarios. Ahmedabad’s Himansh Dahiya, the top ranked U-15 boys’ paddler in the state, will be hoping to get back to winning mode. But he will face stiff challenges from the likes of Aravalli’s Harshvardhan Patel and Janmejay Patel, Surat’s Aayush Tanna and Bhavnagar’s Dhyey Jani among others.
Ahmedabad’s Arya Kataria will be hoping to keep the momentum going in the U-13 Boys’ category but will need to keep his guard up against the likes of Surat’s Vivaan Dave and Bhavnagar’s Sujal Kukadiya.
“I am excited to announce our fifth tournament of the season – the 3rd Gujarat State Ranking Tournament 2021 in Anand. The support from the players is overwhelming with 426 players having confirmed their participation. It speaks volume that life is slowly but surely getting normal in the post COVID world,” GSTTA president Mr Vipul Mittra said. “As we get back to our routine, we are very much aware of the challenges and I am happy that all the players and officials are taking all the precautions by following the COVID appropriate guidelines,” Mr Mittra, IAS, added.
“The spacious Yugpurush Vivekanand Sports Complex in Bakrol, Anand allowed us to hold all the events (senior, junior and cadet categories) together for the first time in a State Ranking Tournament this season. It will be an opportunity to see a host of our top players from across the category under one roof and I wish all the participants best of luck for the tournament,” GSTTA chairman Mr. Milind Torawane, IAS, added.
Written by : Pranjal Protim Boruah