Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse appreciates IWPC sporting meet

Abantika Ghosh and Piyal Bhattacharjee win singles crown in the 3rd Table Tennis Tournament for Men &Women journalists organized by Indian Women’s Press Corps

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse graced the prize distribution ceremony of recently concluded 3rd Table Tennis Tournament organized by Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) – a pioneering institution aimed at supporting women journalists.

Abantika Ghosh and Piyal Bhattacharjee have won crown in the women’s & men’s singles category respectively.

“It’s really inspiring that women journalists had come together to showcase their sporting prowess”, said Mrs. Khadse while also making mention of Khelo India ASMITA league. During the interaction, Smt. Khadse emphasised that sports and fitness are integral part of balanced life, irrespective of profession and asked everyone to adopt a healthy and balanced life.

Smt. Khadse emphasised the role of women journalists in shaping the public discourse and their impact in transforming the society. She acknowledged the demanding nature of their profession and lauded the efforts of IWPC in promoting physical and mental well-being through such sporting events.

Smt. Khadse gave away the prizes to the winners. She was accompanied by Ms. Parul Sharma, President IWPC, Ms. Binny Yadav, General Secretary IWPC, journalists and other senior officials of IWPC.

The IWPC’s Third TT Tournament for journalists across all media was held on March 10, 11 and 12 at its premises at Windsor Place. Tournament was inaugurated by Ms Indu Puri, Arjuna awardee, international Table Tennis player and eight time national award winner in the women’s singles category.

The three day tournament was received with a lot of gusto and enthusiasm with journalists taking out time from their hectic schedules to practice and finally play. A total of 42 journalists across leading media publications participated in the tournament, the draw for which was prepared by Mr Amolak Singh Kler (Referee) and his associates. Matches were held for the categories of women’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s singles and mixed doubles.

The winners, runners-up and first runners-up for the four categories are as follows:
Women’s Singles
Abantika Ghosh (freelance journalist) – Gold
Meghna Dhulia (Times of India)- Silver
Mausami Singh (India Today) – Bronze
T.K. Rajalakshmi (Frontline) – Bronze

Men’s Singles
Piyal Bhattacharjee (Times of India) – Gold
Bipin Sharma (Indian Express)- Silver
Akib Javed (Times of India) – Bronze
Furquan Moharkhan (Morning Context) – Bronze

Women’s Doubles
Abantika Ghosh (Freelance) /Meghna Dhulia (TOI) – Gold
Mausami Singh/Vibha Joshi (Growth Story)- Silver
Rimmi Sharma (Freelance)/Ravinder Bawa (Freelance)- Bronze
(It was a league between three pairs)

Mixed Doubles
Abhishek Law (Hindu Business Line)/Meghna Dhulia (TOI) – Gold
Piyal Bhattacharjee (TOI)/ Abantika Ghosh (Freelance) – Silver
Neeraj Roy (Freelance) /Rimmi Sharma (Freelance)- Bronze
Bipin Sharma (Indian Express)/ Rajshri Trivedi (Freelance)- Bronze.