Over the years Bankers have always dominated in many sports events at all India level. And, in Maharashtra the story is not different. This was noticed in Maharashtra State Veterans Table Tennis Championship, which concluded at PYC Hindu Gymkhana, Pune. This year, this tournament was held in memory of Late Dr.Pramod Mulay , who was finalist in men 75+ section of last year’s PYC State Ranking Veterans TT Tourney.
All the Winners pose with chief guest Ms. Vidya Mulay( seated 3rd from Left) and organisers ,officials of the Dr.Pramod Mulay Memorial State Veterans TT Championship .
This State Championship of Veterans TT for the year 2017-18 season, witnessed the dominance of Bankers in majority of the age groups . In the Men’s 50+ section, former international Sunil Babras of Dena Bank won the fifth title of the season 2017-18, recording a comfortable win 3-0 over his traditional rival Vivek Alwani from Solapur. Suhasini Bakre from State Bank of India Pune, bagged the Women’s 50+ title beating Neeta Kulkarni, Asst. Commissioner of Customs & Excise, Pune.
The other four ex-bankers who won titles in their respective age groups were evergreen Prakash Kelkar( ex- BOI) who beat Central Railway’s Dinkar Selarka in men’s 60+ group, former international Suhas Kulkarni( ex- Bank of India) , who won 65+ men’s title, handsome Bollywood character artiste and TT player Zarksis Khandadia ( ex-Central Bank) who won 70+ Men’s title and his ever smiling brother Zarir Khandadia ( ex-Bank of India)who won 75+ men’s title. So, it was celebration time for ex- BOI players Suhas, Prakash & Zarir, who bagged three titles. Way back in 80’s they had represented Bank Of India team in Inter office league matches along with Arun Rane and had won many prizes.
Prakash kelkar with Suhas Kulkarni
The other titles were won by Shravanbi Dhapre of BEST, who beat Trupti Machve in the Women’s 40+ group, Mangal Saraf ex-BMC officer who won Women’s 60+ group, Rohit Choudhary renowned TT Coach from Pune , who won the men’s 40+ section and Upendra Mulye also a well Known TT coach from Pune . The Men’s team title was won by PYC Gymkhana Pune represented by Rohit Choudhary, Upendra Mulye and Avinash Joshi, while Century Warriors team represented by Sunil Babras & Vivek Alwani bagged runners up trophy.
Zarksis Khandadia with Dr. Nitin Toshniwal
It was a well organized tournament which turned out to be a perfect tribute of Late Pramod Mulay, who had done a lot for promotion of the game of table tennis in PYC Gymkhana, over the past several years. Some of his close associates and few TT players also paid tributes to Dr.Mulay during the closing ceremony, in presence of his wife Ms. Vidya Mulay, who was present as chief guest on this occasion. Among other guests who were present on this occasion were, Dr.Vijay Bhave, Dr.Vasant Chindarkar, Mr. Girish karambelkar all from PYC Gymkhana, Ms. Smita Bodas Vice President of Pune Dist TT Association & Suhas dandekar Hon. Secretary of MSVTTC.
Team winners PYC Gymkhana A – Upendra, Rohit and Avinash receiving their trophy from ms. Vidya Mulay.
This year the Special award for TT player was bestowed on former Veterans TT champ Dr.Nitin Toshniwal, who has now turned 50. Incidentally, Dr.Nitin has also turned producer of Marathi film ‘ Antayatra’ which will be released on 23rd March 2018 all over Maharashtra. The award for the best player of the tournament went to Navin Salian, for his superb performance in individual as well as team event. Navin lost in semi finals of men’s 50+ section. His win over former international Sunil Babras was specifically mentioned while handing over the trophy to him.
Navin Salian receiving his Player of the Tournament trophy
Among other players, it was nice to see former Junior India ranked Player Iqbal Meherally returning to state ranking TT Veterans TT through this tournament and he did invite the attention of all the spectators winning his first two rounds in men’s 50+ section with his superb display of strokes combined with top spin attack. Mehta Brothers Abhay and Sanjay also displayed their superb doubles combination in the team event, while playing for PJ Hindu Gymkhana team. In the quarter finals, both put up a great show of their controlled blocking, winning the decider against best doubles combination of Kiran Salian and Rajesh Singh from Santacruz Gymkhana. Abhay and Sanjay together have won many doubles matches before, beating the best combinations.
Shravani Dhapre, Suhasini Bakre, neeta Kulkarni are all smiles while posing with Smita Bodas( V.P.. Pune Dist TT Assn)
Mr. Avinash Joshi, close friend of Late Dr.Mulay had really worked hard along with his team to make this tournament a grand success. Appreciating his efforts businessman Yogesh Desai, who was finalist in the men’s 65+ section, felicitated him with a trophy donated by him. Indeed, PYC Gymkhana members had really worked hard during the course of this tournament .
Response from the spectators was very good at the venue, during the course of this tournament. No wonder, the organizers proudly announced that their tournament will be held every year.