Ranchi:: The Fifth National Table Tennis Championship was inaugurated on Saturday at the Harivansh Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium in Khelgaon, Ranchi. The event, organized by the Jharkhand State Table Tennis Association under the guidelines of the Table Tennis Federation of India, was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Shekhar Jamuar, Director of Sports, Government of Jharkhand, and Special Guest Mr. Ajay Nath Shahdeo, President of JSCA. Also present on the occasion were JSSPS CEO Mr. Naveen Kumar Jha, Mr. Dhanraj Choudhary from the Table Tennis Federation of India, President of the Jharkhand Olympic Association Mr. Madhukant Pathak, Chief Patron of the Jharkhand Table Tennis Association Mr. Jai Kumar Sinha, President Mr. Samarjeet Singh, and Mr. Shantanu Sah.
The championship has begun with the participation of more than 1,500 players from across the country and will continue until December 13. A total of 12 events are being conducted, including categories for Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, and Senior divisions for both men and women. On the opening day, qualification matches for the Under-11 and Under-13 categories were played, showcasing remarkable enthusiasm and strong competitive spirit among the participants.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Special Guest Mr. Ajay Nath Shahdeo said that Jharkhand has a strong supporting spirit for every sport, and under the state government’s leadership, athletes are continuously being encouraged. He added that national-level competitions boost players’ confidence and infuse new energy into the state’s sporting culture.
Chief Guest Mr. Shekhar Jamuar stated that hosting a national-level table tennis championship in Ranchi is a matter of pride for the state. He said that such events provide local players with exposure to high-level competition, which significantly enhances their skills. He expressed hope that all players would deliver their best performances and make the most of the excellent facilities at Khelgaon.
The welcome address was delivered by Jharkhand Table Tennis Association President Mr. Samarjeet Singh. He said that national events like this create a strong foundation for sports development in the state and that the association remains committed to organizing competitions of the highest standards.
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