The UTT 28th Inter-District and State Table Tennis Championship commenced on September 30 at the Indoor TT Stadium, organised by the Nagaland Table Tennis Association (NTTA). Altogether 13 districts participated in the championships. The Championship will end on October 3.
Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, who was the special guest at the inaugural said that the championship has been long anticipated by both players and organisers.
Highlighting about the origins of table tennis, Kenye said the sport—once called “Whiff-Waff” and “Ping Pong”—emerged as a form of entertainment among the English upper class during the Victorian era in the 1880s. He added that a game which the game was patented in 1885 by James Devonshire, and by 1902 the first formal tournament was organised in London.
Kenye said that TT Federation of England was established in 1921–22, leading to the sport’s internationalization and the launch of the International Table Tennis Federation in 1926 with 217 members.
KG Kenye highlighted that TT took several decades to gain Olympic recognition and was officially admitted in 1977. He added that China’s introduction to the sport in 1901 had made the country become a dominant global force.
Kenye further stated that forming of Nagaland Table Tennis Association in 1972—five years before the discipline was recognised at the Olympics was a remarkable achievement.
Kenye also appreciated the pioneers for their foresight in introducing the sport at that time. He said that in earlier years, table tennis tournaments in the state drew limited participation from only five or six districts, however, now the representation had expanded significantly, with 17 districts now participating. He hoped that in the near future, there would be 100% participation across the state.
“Many non-Olympic disciplines have received financial and moral support, table tennis, despite being an Olympic sport, had remained comparatively in the background,” Kenye noted.
Kenye also assured that on behalf of Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio and the state government, steps would be taken to promote the sport so that Naga players can compete at regional, national and international levels and aim for Olympic medals.
Altogether 13 districts are participating in the Championships. A total of 143 players, 114 women and 29 male from Kohima, Mokokchung, Dimapur, Phek, Wokha, Shamator, Kiphire, Mon, Meluri, Niuland, Peren, Chumoykedima, Tuensang are participating in the championships.
The categories are: Under 15 Girls, Under 17 Girls, Under 13 Boys, Under 15 Boys, Under 17 Boys, Mens Singles, Mens Double, 50+ Mens, 40 + Mens, Mixed Doubles and Team Event for both Mens and Womens.
The inaugural programme was compered by Vincent Belho, secretary information and publicity, NTTA. Invocation was pronounced by Tovi Shohe, associate pastor (youth), SABCK Kohima, while NTTA president Vitho Neikha delivered the presidential address.
