Stage is set to create a world record of maximum participation of table tennis players in an event.
Over the next five days, around 4,000 players including former National champion Soumyajit Ghosh, Sudhanshu Grover, Arjun Ghosh, Abhishek Yadav, Jubin Kumar and Payas Jain, will be seen in action in the first Indian Table Tennis Marathon 2019 at the Sant Sujan Singhji International School at Swaroop Nagar here.
The event offers prizes worth over ₹10 lakh — including three lakh in cash — and trophies to the top-eight finishers in each of the eight sections. “We aim to set a new world record for players’ participation,” said Jinendra Jain, a former player and the man behind this mega event.
“Even though the last day for entries was April 25, entries kept pouring in and we did not want to disappoint anyone.”
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The World record, set on March 31, 2013 in China stands at 2,048 participants. The Guangzhou Baiyun District table tennis tournament, held in the Guangzhou Gymnasium at Baiyun, attracted 2,336 entries, but 288 players were later disqualified for not turning up for some of their matches.
Competitions will be held for boys and girls separately in under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 sections. The under-21 section will be played in men and women categories. Three
veterans’ categories — 40+, 50+ and 60+ — complete the competitive section.
“We will use up to 48 Stag tables in two playing halls,” said Jinendra and continued, “We have 65 officials and 35 volunteers to ensure smooth conduct of the event.”
Considering the logistical challenge posed by the magnitude of this mega event, the organisers have engaged the services of veteran A. S. Kler, as the Competition Manager, to guide the large team of
officials.
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