Bhubaneswar: Odisha has taken a significant stride in promoting table tennis with the establishment of two well-equipped academies in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. These academies have swiftly become the hub for young talents, drawing enthusiasts from across the region. Additionally, the multipurpose indoor stadiums in municipalities across the state have emerged as favored spaces for aspiring paddlers.
The Odisha Table Tennis Academy situated in the Laxmisagar area of Bhubaneswar has already attracted 76 young players within the U11 to U19 age categories. In a spirit of inclusivity, the academy also welcomes around 20 master players and four para-players who diligently hone their skills. Simultaneously, the Cuttack Table Tennis Academy at CDA boasts a total of 150 players across both youth and master categories.
The recent UTT 85th Inter-State Sub Junior and Cadet National Table Tennis Championships in January 2024 witnessed both academies securing notable achievements. The Odisha team, comprising Jigyansu Sahoo (Cuttack), Takmil Mohammed (Cuttack), Jigyanshu Sai Kiran Pradhan (Puri), and Aninday Anupam Das (Bhubaneswar), clinched a historic Bronze medal in the competition.
Building on this success, the Odisha Table Tennis Academy in Bhubaneswar is gearing up for upcoming competitions, including the UTT Para Table Tennis National Championship (20-22 March) and the National Masters Table Tennis Championship in April.
To further identify and nurture talent, both academies have initiated school outreach programs, organizing full-fledged camps during the summer.
Expressing his vision, Coach Raj S Subramaniam from the Cuttack Table Tennis Academy stated, “Cuttack is the hub of Table Tennis, and the academy has been providing a platform for both youth and masters. We are also training the U8 age group kids so that they gain knowledge of the sport right from their initial days. Our current cohort is very talented; they won Bronze, and I want them to get selected at the National camp.”
By establishing such training centers and academies, Odisha aims to provide aspiring table tennis players with access to world-class coaching, facilities, and infrastructure. This initiative not only nurtures existing talent but also encourages more youngsters to take up the sport seriously. These academies create a conducive environment for talent identification, grooming, and eventual representation at national and international levels. The structured training programs at these academies focus on skill development, physical fitness, and mental agility, essential aspects of competitive table tennis.