Felicitation Function by GSTTA & Launching of TTAA Website

Felicitation Function & Launching of  Website (TTAA)

World Table Tennis Day

6th April 2017

Celebrating the World Table Tennis Day, Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA) felicitated seventeen players for their performance at international and national level in the past two years during a gala function held at The Arena by TransStadia, Ahmedabad today. 

The state association also honoured seven coaches for their contribution.

GSTTA office bearers including president Vipul Mittra (IAS), secretary Haresh Sangtani graced the special occasion. Also present at the function were Dr. Indu Rao vice president of Table Tennis Association of Ahmedabad and Anuj Mehta, senior vice president SE TransStadia.

“We congratulate all our players, who have done exceedingly well at national and international level. Our efforts are paying off. Looking at the young crop, I am confident Gujarat will dominate national competitions in the coming years,” said Mittra, showering praise on his players.

“Our Honourable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has given a mantra of Digital India. Moreover, these days India lives online. So in order to make life of our paddlers easy and make information available at their fingertips, Ahmedabad unit has decided to go online,” said Mittra while launching the Table Tennis Association of Ahmedabad’s official website,

Mittra said Gujarat state government is supporting sportsperson big way but there is also a need of public-private partnership for promotion of sports. “Finance is main element for upcoming sportsperson. The state government is giving promising players Rs30 lakh, which no state government is providing. At the same time need people like sports aficionados like Udit Sheth (promoter of The Arena by TransStadia), who have good idea of sports and able to give professional touch,” said Mittra.

Devesh Karia, one of the 17 players honoured, was on cloud nine. The Bhavnagar-based paddler hit the purple patch when he bagged team gold medal at the Commonwealth Championship 2015 held in Surat. “I have had two great years where I won gold in Commonwealth and South Asian Games. This felicitation is like icing on the cake. Such functions motivate a player and am thankful to GSTTA for it,” said Karia.

The lone female paddler, Frenaz Chipia had mixed feelings during the event. “I am feeling privileged to know that I am the only girl who got this opportunity. My hard work and dedication towards the game has been honoured. But at the same time, I do wish more female players will win laurels for the state. Parents have a pivotal role to play here. Without their encouragement it is impossible to move ahead in sports,” said Frenaz, while thanking her family, coaches and table tennis officials for their support.

Gujarat’s international paddler, Harmeet Desai could not attend the function as he was away for national duty in Thailand.

Former international player turned coach, Pathik Mehta welcomed GSTTA’s move to honour athletes. “It gives immense boost to the young players, whose feats at national and international level are recognized. Such an honour means a lot at this age,” said Pathik Mehta, who was among the six coaches honoured today.