Bhubaneswar: The wait is finally over for sports enthusiasts as the ITTF-ATTU 28th Asian Table Tennis Team Championships 2025 officially commenced today at the Athletics Centre of Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The grand inauguration was led by Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister for Sports & Youth Services, Higher Education, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha, who declared the championship open amid great enthusiasm and applause.
Expressing his delight, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said that hosting an international championship of this scale reflects Odisha’s growing stature as a global sports destination. “It is a matter of immense pride and happiness for us to welcome top players from 22 participating countries. Odisha continues to lead India’s sporting journey with world-class facilities and the unwavering support of our athletes and fans,” he added.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including Sheikha Hayat Al Khalifa, Acting Regional Vice-President, ATTU & President, Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation; Dushyant Chautala, President, Table Tennis Federation of India; Meghna Ahlawat; and Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha.
Adding to the pride of the moment, Padma Shri awardee and Indian table tennis icon A. Sharath Kamal, who also serves as the Brand Ambassador for the championship, graced the occasion, inspiring young athletes with his presence.
The championship, which features both men’s and women’s team events, began with an exciting line-up of group stage matches. In the morning session, 12 teams — including Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Maldives, Uzbekistan, Oman, DPR Korea, Macau China, Thailand, Bangladesh, Qatar, and Nepal — showcased their skills in fiercely competitive games.
With the finals scheduled for October 15, the championship promises five days of high-octane action, teamwork, and sportsmanship, setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration of table tennis excellence at the heart of Odisha.
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