The Indo Master Players’ Table Tennis Association ( IMPTTA) has not even completed one year, since its formation. But, this association led by Sameer Bhate under the guidance of Mr. Arwind Prabhu succeeded in organising their first All India National Masters’ Table Tennis Championship recently, at the Andheri Sports Club , Mumbai. To plan a big National level tournament in Mumbai, wasn’t an easy task. But, his 20 member team comprising of all senior players, made it possible and this tournament received very good response from top ranked national and international level Master players and all the enthusiastic participants coming from 23 states of India. There were 758 registrations and 650 entries received from all over India, before the start of this tournament, in just three months time, after announcement of this tournament.
President, IMPTTA Mr. Arwind Prabhu, and Guest of honour Mr. Premjit Rananavare, Dy.Commissioner, Sales Tax ( Centre) with Mr. Sameer Bhate, Hon. Secretary, IMPTTA and other committee members, during the inauguration of the tournament.
Elaborate arrangements were made at the venue for the inauguration ceremony, in a traditional Maharashtrian style, to welcome the participants. There were different committees set up including the technical committee, which comprised of A chief referee, two Joint referees and a team of 30+ umpires, also coming from different states. But, when it came to urgent help, the committee members came together to display their team work. Just take for example the work done by all of them to open the packing of all 12 brand new tables coming from Meerat and arrange them perfectly without the help of any expert in just three hours record time, on the eve, before the start of the tournament.
Playing arena of the tournament with all brand new Stage tables with proper lighting.
Suhasini Bakre, Shravani Dhapre, Swati Agharkar and Sadiya Vanjara who were lady members, part of the committee, didn’t look at their watch, to offer their services almost round the clock for seven days. Many committee members raised donations from well wishers. Some individual players like Dr. Nitin Toshniwal, Sushil Tekchandani and few others contributed from their own sources, with maximum donations upto Rs. 1 lakh each. All the Umpires and match referees were provided free accommodation and food at the venue itself for their convenience. Thanks to Mr. Sunil Godase, OSD of BMC and Chief of Andheri Sports Club and Mr. R.C. Shah, Prakash Kelkar who helped to make this arrangement possible at the venue. Also, the live streaming of matches on all six days, besides media coverage, helped popularise this sport among all TT and fitness lovers.
Prakash Kelkar ( Centre) is being felicitated by Chief Guest Mr. Sunil Godase( 3rd from Left) in presence of Committee members of IMPTTA and special invitees.
The schedule of the matches was perfectly managed with the help of referres and umpires by coordinator Mr. Sachin D’souza, Jt. Secretary of IMPTTA who really worked very hard with his other team mebers like Shravani Dhapre Jt. Hon Secretary, Technical expert Mr. Naveen Verghese, Mr. Rakesh Nigudkar , Sumedh Patekar and others. According to the technical team, the matches on the 5th day schedule got delayed because maximum matches in 39+, 49+ 50+ were neck to neck, with long rallies and stretching to five games, even at the group league stage. “ But, yet there were no major complaints from players, as they treated this tournament as their own. All top players have appreciated the conduct of this tournament.” added Sameer Bhate, Hon. Secretary IMPTTA.
However, there were suggestions relating to giving separate trophies to winning doubles pairs, instead of one, replicas to other team members, instead of one which is taken away by the Captain of the team, as per the ongoing practice. Some winning team members also suggested that the winning teams in a particular category , wherever the entries were more, should have been presented with some cash prize. The Committee has agreed to have post event meeting soon, to discuss on few lapses on their side. The Cash Prizes to Singles’ winners as announced by them, have started reaching to the players, who have filled in the Google forms, giving details of their Bank A/cs.
Mr. Sunil Godase, OSD, BMC and who heads Andheri Sports Club & Kalidas Sports Complex, was the chief guest on the final day and gave away the prizes. He also felicitated Mr. Prakash Kelkar who has been playing Masters TT Nationals for the past 29 years and has won many National Gold medals. Earlier, on the inaugural day Mr. Arwind Prabhu, President of IMPTTA was the guest of honour and declared the tournament open, wishing all the participants best of luck. By the way, Mr. Arwind Prabhu was the first to announce donation of Rs. 5 Lakh, for this tournament. On the last day of the tournament, a top player remarked,” Now, it’s time to hold IMPTTA elections through online process, for electing the proper all India body with zonal representation with transparency in all dealings, for the proper conduct of next zonal or National level tournaments.”