Renowned veteran TT player Dinkar Selarka from Kandivali Recreation Club and Dr.Nitin Toshniwal from Solapur put up a fine show in their respective age groups, in the 3rd State Ranking Masters’ TT Tournament played at Prabodhankar Thackeray Kreeda Sankul on Sunday evening. Dinkar who was seeded 3rd in the men’s 60+ singles event, beat his traditional rival and top seed Prakash kelkar 3-1, while in the Men’s 50+ section, 2nd seed Dr. Nitin Toshniwal knocked out top seed and former international Suni Babras in three straight games to lift the winner’s trophies.
Dinkar Selarka( 2nd from Left) receiving his trophy from Yoesh Desai ( 2nd from Right)
This was 2nd successive 60+ title for Dinkar Selarka, as last month he had defeated top seed Prakash kelkar with the same margin, in the finals of 2nd State Ranking Masters’ TT tournament held at MIG Club Bandra. For Dr. Nitin Toshniwal also, this was his 2nd title this season. The multi talented Solapur medical practitioner, who didn’t play in the team events this time, proved his supremacy while playing his individual event and proved too good to all his opponents.
Dr.Nitin Toshniwal (Left) receiving his trophy from Yogesh Desai
In the Men’s 40+ singles final , it was an all Nashik affair, as bearded Pankaj Rahane scored 3-1 win over Shekhar kale to lift the title. In the 40+ Men’s doubles too, Pankaj along with Divyendu Chandorkar( also from Nashik) beat Sameer Bhate and Suhas Rane of Mumbai to win the title. Both Pankaj and Shekhar played exceptionally well on their way to finals, as they scored victories over many seasoned players one after the other. Their consistency in their aggressive game was also appreciated by the spectators, who were present in large numbers on Sunday.
Pankaj Rahane( left) is greeted by Shekhar Kale after their finals.
In the men’s 65+ finals former international Suhas Kulkarni once again proved his supremacy, as he defeated Pune’s Bapu katdhare, who had made his way to the finals, scoring a hard fought 3-2 win over Satish Kulkarni in semi finals . In the other semi finals, Suhas Dandekar also fought well, before going down 2-3 to Suhas Kulkarni. The Men’s 69+ finals saw a new champion in Francis D’cunha, who scored a well deserved 3-2 win over seasoned Satish Shirsat, while in the Men’s 75+ R. Rao of Matunga Gymkhana continued with his 3rd title of the season defeating former RBI player G.A.Dhamankar in the finals. The men’s doubles 60+ final was won by Jayant Kulkarni and Percy Mehta, who defeated Dinkar Selarka & Prakash kelkar 3-2 to bag the winner’s trophy.
Suhas Kulkarni displays his trophy
Overall, it was a well organized tournament with 12 TT tables made available at the venue in the big hall housed in the basement of this sports complex. Thanks to Mr. Arwind Prabhu , Programme Director of Prabhodhankar Thackeray Kreeda Sankul for making elaborate arrangements and Sameer Bhate and his PTKS team for making this tournament a grand success.
Fine gesture by Yogesh Desai
Special thanks to Mr. Yogesh Desai for sponsoring trophies to all winners and runners up in different age groups of men and women. As the women’s event was held last week, Mr. Yogesh Desai announced that their trophies will be presented during the next Masters’ State Ranking TT tournament scheduled to be held on 5th and 6th January 2019 at Jolly Gymkhana , Ghatkoper. It was certainly a fine gesture coming from an active player like Yogesh Desai. The current national Champion in Men’s 65+, Yogesh felt that winners and runners up be given the trophies like the team winners and hence he took this opportunity to sponsor the trophies worth Rs. 25,000/- . And, this really saw happiness on the faces of all the finalists and winners. Incidentally, Yogesh Desai has a lot of attachment to this club and appreciates the work done by Mr. Arwind Prabhu and his team from PTKS for making the proper sports facility available for children living in Anadheri and Vile Parle East.