It seems that the game of Table Tennis has become very popular in Mumbai suburbs. In the past few months , we have seen many TT tournaments conducted either by TSTTA for all categories and for Masters conducted by IMPTTA. However, last weekend , we witnessed a unique type of Premier TT league hosted by MCF , Borivali for all age groups together. There were six teams from Kandivali and Borivali areas, with participation of players from 9 years to 70+ divided into 7 levels according to their performance.
This two day tournament was first played on a league basis with 3 teams in each group and then on knock out basis in the semi finals. Tejas Naik’s team Sunstar were declared the winners, after his team beat Team J D Marvels 6-4 in a well contested finals. Captain and team co-owner Tejas Naik won all his four matches opposite Level 1 players from other teams. Another player in Level 7 , who remained unbeaten was 12 year old Moksh Mehta from J D Marvels, who only dropped a game to 9 year old Krishiv Panchal.
In the finals, Tejas won his first match against Pramod Desai in straight games. He was well supported by Amit Phadke who beat Santosh Jain 2-1. Rajesh Shah besides winning his Singles against Nitish Kumar 2-1, also won the crucial doubles, partnering Tejas Naik; while Sunstar team’s crucial match was won very narrowly by Dominic D’Silva against 70 year old ranked Masters’ player Antonio Gomes.
Hitesh Jogi, the owner of J D Marvels exhibited a wonderful performance while playing for his team in his Level- 6 match; as he beat state ranked women’s veteran player Rajeshwari Mehtre in straight games. Through his strategic play Hitesh gave a good demonstration on ‘how to play against Pimpled rubbers on both sides’. Out of four matches played by him in Level -6, he only lost one match to Siddhi Kolekar a young stylish attacking player from MCF club.
In the semi finals J D Marvels beat Vora Fighters, while Sunstar defeted Roaring Panthers. Team Magzmumbai, which earlier played in the league stage in Group B , drew their match 5-5 with ultimate winners- Team Sunstar and lost narrowly 4-6 to Vora Fighters in the deciding match, thus losing their place in semi finals. Another team which also lost the place in semis from Group A was Team Viku.
Refreshment partners Max Protein offered refreshment packs to every participant before the start of their matches and the Winners were presented with Gift hampers sponsored by them. Indeed, a perfect timely gift for sportspersons from Max Protein.