Harmeet, Manav and Manush get cash rewards as GSTTA celebrates World Table Tennis Day in Surat

Surat, April 24: Gujarat’s top three paddlers-Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah-received cash rewards in the grand annual award ceremony organised by Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA) to celebrate World Table Tennis Day on April 23 at Avadh Utopia in Surat.

India no.1 Harmeet received the Best Male Player award and a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh (for winning the senior nationals in Panchkula in 2023) and India no. 3 Manush received cash prize Rs 50,000 in the presence of chief guest Dr Kishore Chavda (Vice Chancellor, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University), guest of honour Shri Ramesh Vaghasia (president, The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries), GSTTA president Shri Pramod Chaudhary and GSTTA secretary Shri Kushal Sangtani.

India no. 2 Manav was given the Best Overall Player award and a cash prize of Rs 75,000. The Surti paddler, however, could not make it to the event due to his training schedule in France.

Other state paddlers who performed well at the state, national and international level also got awarded.

Speaking on the occasion, GSTTA president Shri Pramod Chaudhary informed that Gujarat will host a number of big tournaments in the near future.

“GSTTA will host an international event soon. We will also organise TT league GSL in upcoming months. Table tennis is going to grow bigger than ever in the state,” Shri Chaudhary said.

World no. 64 Harmeet lauded GSTTA’s efforts during the function. “GSTTA has always supported and taken care of its players. Award ceremonies such as this motivates players to push for more,” the Surti lad said.

Vadodara’s Manush congratulated all the winners. “It’s always wonderful when your hard work gets recognized,” Manush said.

List of awardees:

Deaf and dumb international medallist: Jeet Pandya (Ahmedabad) Shiney Gomes (Ahmedabad)

National champions (Para): Sonal Patel (Ahmedabad) (Women’s Singles Class-3); Bhavina Patel (Ahmedabad) (Women’s Singles Class-4); Shital Darji (Ahmedabad) (Women’s Singles Class-5); Bhavika Kukadiya (Surat) (Women’s Singles Class-6); Yezdi Bhamgara (Valsad) (Men’s Singles Class-6).

Best Umpire: Naresh Pawar (Vadodara)

Best Hopes (U- 11) Female: Vincy Tanna (Surat)

Best Hopes (U- 11) Male: Ansh Khamar (Ahmedabad)

Best Cadet (U- 13) Female: Daniya Godil (Surat)

Best Cadet (U- 13) Male: Jenil Patel (Ahmedabad)

Best Sub-Junior (U-15) Female: Jiya Trivedi (Ahmedabad)

Best Sub-Junior (U-15) Male: Malav Panchal (Ahmedabad)

Best Coach (Cadet & Sub-Junior): Devesh Karia (Ahmedabad)

Best Junior (U- 17) Female: Mouboni Chatterjee (Ahmedabad)

Best Junior (U- 17) Male: Janmejay Patel (Aravalli)

Best Junior (U- 19) Female: Oishiki Joardar (Ahmedabad)

Best Junior (U- 19) Male: Arman Shaikh (Aravalli)

Best Coach (Junior & Youth): Jignesh Jayswal (Bhavnagar)

Best Veteran player Female: Prasunna Parikh (Ahmedabad)

Best Veteran player Male: Viral Patel (Surat)

Best Female Player: Radhapriya Goel (Gandhinagar)

Best Male Player: Harmeet Desai (Surat)

Best Coach (Senior): Vahed Malubhaiwala

Best Overall Player: Manav Thakkar (Surat)

Best Organised State Tournament: Bharuch District Table Tennis Association

Cash awards: Nidhi Prajapati, Riya Jayswal, Oishiki Joardar, Jiya Trivedi (Youth Girls U-19): Rs 15,000 each for bronze in team championship at the 85th Inter-State Youth & Junior National TT Championship 2023 in Kolkata

Frenaz Chipia and Filzah Fatema Kadri: Rs 20,000 each for bronze in women’s doubles at 37th National Games 2023 in Goa

Manush Shah: Rs 50,000 for bronze in men’s singles at 85th Senior National and Inter-State TT Championship 2023 in Haryana

Manav Thakkar: Rs 75,000 for silver in men’s singles at 2024 WTT Feeder Beirut-I in Lebanon

Harmeet Desai: Rs 1,00,000 for gold in men’s singles at 85th Senior National and Inter-State TT Championship 2023 in Haryana