Odisha Table Tennis Academy inaugurated
Bhubaneswar: In a concerted effort to propel the development of sports and fitness within the city, with a particular emphasis on Table Tennis, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik officially unveiled the Odisha Table Tennis Academy in Bhubaneswar today. Simultaneously, he inaugurated the 29th State Table Tennis Championship for the year 2023.
The Odisha Table Tennis Academy boasts a generously spaced table tennis arena, accommodating sixteen TT tables, alongside a well-equipped gymnasium and a dedicated weightlifting room. A designated chess area is also part of the facility.
What’s more, the academy caters to enthusiasts of yoga and zumba, ensuring a well-rounded approach to fitness and overall well-being. This initiative promises to provide a launchpad for nurturing a new generation of table tennis players from the state.
During the inauguration, Patnaik remarked, “The Odisha Table Tennis Academy marks a significant milestone in our journey to promote excellence in the field of Table Tennis. This academy will not only nurture emerging talents but will also serve as a focal point for recreational and competitive sporting spirit.”
Chief Minister Patnaik also revealed plans for the establishment of 33 Table Tennis Centers in various indoor halls throughout the state. These centers are slated to be operational by December 2023 and will each house three Table Tennis tables. Furthermore, the Cuttack Table Tennis Academy, featuring 16 tables, is set to become operational in the near future.
The Chief Minister applauded the Odisha State Table Tennis Association for their notable efforts in advancing the sport of Table Tennis within the state. He pledged unwavering support to foster elite Table Tennis players from Odisha who can represent the nation on a global stage.
TTFI dignitaries, Chaudhury and Kamlesh Mehta, lauded Chief Minister Patnaik for his vision and support in hosting the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship and the National Table Tennis Championships in 2019.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Chairman 5T & Nabin Odisha VK Pandian, Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera, MLA of Bhubaneswar Central Ananta Narayan Jena, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Sulochana Das, DC cum ACS Anu Garg, Sanjay Singh, President of OSTTA, and Vineel Krishna, Sports Secretary.
