Formation of WTT India will lead to the country hosting more international events
India has joined a select group of countries like China, Singapore, Japan, Germany and the US to have domestic WTT event companies.
A. Sharath Kamal, who retired earlier this year, has come aboard as the brand ambassador of WTT India, while Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will join as a member of the board of directors.
'You will start to see more WTT events and more international events. Eventually, in the next few years, you will start to see some of our bigger events coming here, whether that's Champions, we will explore Smash in the future as well.
'Although it's a different road to get that, hopefully even World Championships and big events on that scale,' Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, told The Hindu.
'Having people that are working day to day on World Table Tennis will help us achieve that quicker than having just us based out of Singapore trying to make it happen.'
Sharath was excited to be a part of the project. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,' he said. 'I am proud to represent this next phase — not just as a player, but as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.'
India at present hosts two annual WTT events, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender series tournament. The number is likely to double in the next 12-month cycle with the new partnership.
'We only have to grow from here. I am hoping that we as a country are able to host (the) 2036 Games and if that is the case, then this would be an ideal roadmap to lead up to the Olympics in India. I don't think we can ask for a better opportunity than this or a better partnership than this as far as table tennis is concerned,' Vita said.
'As you have seen, India has done exceedingly well in the last seven to eight years, better than ever before. For us to really ensure that we tap into the right talent, we get the right champions ahead, the WTT partnership will bring a lot of value to us and I think it's important for us as a country to have a partnership like this.'
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