Last week end, NEXTGN Sports presented Equality Table Tennis League, which was presented by NPV & Jolly Friends Sports Club at Champion Sports Academy in Metro City Club, Kothrud, Pune. In spite of heavy rains and disruption of transport services just 2 days before the tournament, the response from participants from the age 10 years to 80 years, was very good for this Open event.
Anish Sontakke ( Winner) with R-up Jash Modi after the match
All of them participated in the same event, which was something unique. The organisers used the latest technology to decide bonus points, if any, to be awarded to every participant . The 12 top participants with no bonus points , had direct entry into the main draw. But, they had to fight against the qualifiers, who carried bonus points against them, ranging from 1 to 6. So, you can imagine how much of efforts they had to put in to win those best of 5 games in their main draw match, at every stage, they progressed.
All the prize winners pose with the officials and organisers.
Few of them could not make it till pre-quarter finals, but others took it as a challenge and fought hard to display their confidence level. While Pritha Varthikar a renowned youngster and Girls & Women’s champ from Pune, could not make it, as she had to concede five points every game to Pradeep Gupta a veteran player from Mumbai and lost the battle. Pradeep Gupta continued his winning run till quarter final stage, where he lost to Mayur Ketke. But, players like Jash Modi, Anish Sontakke, Mayur Sonakke and LalruthSanga fought hard right from their First main draw round to reach the semi finals stage.
Vinita Shukla ( L) greeted by her friend Swati Thube(R) after her hard fought match.
Among the women, who participated in this Open event, veteran Vinita Shukla, who had during her Junior days represented Rajasthan at the national level, gave a good performance with 5 bonus points to her credit, to reach the last 32 stage. Vinita made her comeback to TT only few years ago in the Masters’ events. Prizes were given to winners upto Pre-quarter finals stage. It was a good effort by Amit Modi and his team to offer this new concept to the TT lovers.
Players from different parts of Maharashtra had taken part in this tournament, including few who came from other places. The model of this tournament was well accepted by all participants and the organisers agreed to accept some suggestions given by players to make it more attractive in future. Time schedule was strictly observed. Thanks to chief referee Mr. Madhukar Lonare for his perfect planning.
In the finals played between two talented youngsters, Anish Sontakke defeated Jash Modi 3-1. The list of all Prize winners in this tournament is as follows:
Winner – Anish Sontakke, R-up : Jash Modi, Semi Finalists : Mayur Ketke & Lalruth Sanga, Quarter finalists : Rohan Dani, Dr. Sameer Patwardhan, Pradeep Gupta & Arnav Karnavar. Pre –Quarter finalists : Ashutosh Singh, Ulhas Shirke, Vivek Phadnis, Naren Indani, Rajat Kadam, Shounak Shinde, Aadi Chitnis & Waikhom Singh.