PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant has told organisers of the WTT Star Contender that Goa would back the hosting of another edition of the high-profile table tennis event in the state.
Stupa Analytics has a guaranteed three-year understanding with Global Table Tennis to host the Star Contender in India. While Goa has been chosen as the venue for the first edition, thanks to backing from the state government, Sawant has promised more support in the future.
“If the organisers want, it’s up to them to host another edition. They have brought the event to Goa and we are happy to support. I am happy to hear that many players and officials are attending because it’s being held here,” Sawant told reporters on the opening day of the event at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Taleigao on Monday.
Deepak Malik, co-founder and chief sports, Stupa Analytics, said they have a five-year contract (three plus two) to host the event in India and brought the event to Goa due to the chief minister’s support.
“There is a very good possibility that we will have it again in Goa. We want Goa and India on the global stage as global leader in table tennis,” said Malik.
WTT Series is the official professional table tennis series of events, with the world’s best players facing each other throughout the year. The six Star Contender events pit 48 men and women in the respective singles main draws, with the top 30 world ranks eligible to play, four among whom will compulsorily have to be in the world top 20.
