Government of India is totally committed to transforming the nation into a global sports powerhouse in the next 10 years: Raksha Khadse

Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse meets sports organisations, veteran players in Vadodara during WTT Youth Contender award ceremony to understand infrastructure requirements and training facilities for Table Tennis in the region

Khel Today Bureau

Vadodara:  Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse gave away the prizes to the winners in various age categories (from U-11 to U-19) of WTT Youth Contender table tennis tournament as the prestigious event drew to a close at the Sama Indoor Sports Complex here.

Apart from felicitating the young achievers, the MoS met veteran athletes to understand infrastructure requirements and training facilities for Table Tennis in the region. Current Member of Parliament from Vadodara constituency Dr. Hemang Joshi facilitated this meeting with Smt. Khadse.

The  MoS also sought insights from sports organizations in Vadodara for talent scouting, necessary improvements in available coaching and training facilities and challenges faced by veteran athletes.

“I am pleased to see the way the WTT Youth Contender has been organised here in Vadodara. I would also like to appreciate the hard work the Table Tennis Federation of India has put up to organise this event along with Parul University. The event saw participation from countries like England, United States of America, Australia, South Korea, Antigua & Barbuda, Sri Lanka and Maldives. The WTT Youth Contender is a great platform for kids from Under-11 to Under-19 age groups. This helps us in spotting raw talent in table tennis, which can be nurtured and turned into international champions with the help of proper training and coaching.

“Government of India is totally committed to transforming the nation into a global sports powerhouse in the next 10 years. We have been supporting not only table tennis players but athletes from all Olympic, Paralympic disciplines through various initiatives like TOPS and Khelo India and it has fetched us good results in recent times. My best wishes to all the participants for future endeavours,” Smt. Khadse said during her address.

Table Tennis Federation of India president Kamlesh Mehta, Standing Committee Chairperson Dr. Shital Mistry, Vadodara Mayor Ms. Pinkyben Soni, Mahamantri Jaswant Sinh Solanki, former MP Jayaben Thakkar and Local Organising Committee chairman Kalpesh Thakkar were the key dignitaries who attended the closing ceremony.