Mumbai to host Asian Cup TT in November

LUCKNOW, JAN 11: In an effort to provide more incentives to the players and to draw more players to the game, the Table Tennis Federation ...

LUCKNOW, JAN 11: In an effort to provide more incentives to the players and to draw more players to the game, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has decided to increase the prize money at the Nationals, zonal and other tournaments from next year, besides making cash awards mandatory for tournaments from district-level upwards (see box). This was one of the major decisions taken at the annual general and executive meetings of the TTFI held on Tuesday.

Another major decision taken today was to increase the number of registered players in a state from the present 2,500 to 5,000 for sending two teams to represent the state at the Nationals. At present only Maharashtra, that has over 2,500 registered players, send two teams. It is an effort to get more players into the game, Chowhan said.

Chowhan said India will host a few international tournaments in the next couple of years. After the Asian Junior Championships at Goa and Chennai in the last two years, India will hold the next edition in August thisyear. The venue is yet to be decided. Mumbai will organise the Asian Cup (earlier scheduled for November 4-6 last year) from November 19-21 soon after the World Championships. Chennai will host the Asia Top 12 for men during September-November. In the last edition in Iran, Chetan Baboor had shocked the Olympic champion.

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EQUIPMENT THROUGH SAI: Sports Authority of India has agreed to supply equipment to players at subsidised rates. The government will shortly sell equipment worth Rs 18 lakh. TTFI has also sought government help to import 100 tables to be given to various associations for use.

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: Besides the two scheduled academies being run by the Federation at present (Ajmer and Calcutta), the government has agreed to open Centres of Excellence at Chennai and Delhi, where former internationals will be in charge. Manjit Dua wil look after the academy at Delhi, the TTFI secretary said. Mumbai and Bangalore will also have similar centres in due course, he added. Coaches fromKorea, China, Japan and Europe will be invited to train players at these centres.

Salient decisions

Increase the number of registered players in each state from 2,500 to 5,000.

Senior Nationals in Orissa, Sub-juniors & cadets Nationals in Tamil Nadu, junior Nationals in Tamil Nadu.

Asian Cup in Mumbai this November, Asian Top 12 in Chennai.

Centres for Excellence to bet set up at Delhi and Chennai. Manjit Dua to take charge at Delhi. Centres at Mumbai, Bangalore in the pipeline.

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