GOA: The stage is set for the first-ever WTT event in India, which will see the best of world table tennis congregate at Panjim’s Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium between February 27 and March 05.
The event is being hosted in India by Stupa Sports Analytics, also the official data partners of the WTT and the International Table Tennis Federation, along with the Government of Goa with Goa as Host City and the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) playing the role of Supporting Partner. Besides, the Sports Authority of Goa and Dream Foundation, the philanthropic arm of sports technology company Dream Sports, have also joined in as event partners.
Ten companies have also been roped in as sponsors for the Indian ping-pong blockbuster of the year. Renowned for its table tennis boards, STAG has joined as Equipment Partners while Fast & Up have been roped in as Nutrition Partners for the event. Ethernet Express will be the Internet Partners. Other companies who will be sponsors of the tournament are public sector giants like Indian Oil, ONGC, PFC (Power Finance Corporation) and NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation). Among private entities, recruitment consultants The Glove, pharma company Supradyn and restaurant chain Ichiban have also been onboarded as Supporting Partners.
Commenting on the partnerships forged, Ms Megha Gambhir, CEO, Stupa Sports Analytics, said, “It is a shot in the arm for all of us that credible corporate entities in large numbers have recognized the value and enormity of the WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 and decided to join us in the very first year itself. We are grateful for their vision and proactive support and hopefully we will enjoy the fruits of success together for years.”
A total of 252 matches are scheduled, beginning with the qualifiers between February 27-28, with the main draw matches beginning March 01. Among those who can be seen in live action will be legends of the sport like Ma Long, reigning women’s Olympic champion Chen Meng, world number one in men’s singles Fan Zhendong and world number one in women’s singles Sun Yingsha, besides Indian stars like Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.
Players ready to make history
Stakes are rising in the WTT Series as the first Star Contender event of the year is about to get underway! WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 will be a landmark event, with some of the globe’s biggest names stepping out to try capture the titles on offer.
What’s at stake: A total prize pool of $250,000 and 600 World Ranking points at the top for the winners will be up for grabs.
What to expect: Not only will Goa be hosting the maiden Star Contender event of the year, it also marks the first time that a WTT Series event will be staged in India. With history on the line, a full cohort of table tennis elite have stepped forward to try take down the titles on offer in Goa. With it being the biggest event of the year so far, expect there to be fireworks as players chase the most prize money and World Ranking points yet in 2023.
Where to watch: Sony Sports holds the telecast rights for South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan Maldives, Nepal)
