Chandigarh: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken significant steps to make the 51st Institutional Table Tennis Championships, starting at the Panjab University Gymnasium Hall, an unforgettable event. The total prize pool has been raised to Rs. 16 lakh with pre-quarterfinalists also receiving a share. In a unique move, RBI has curated special medals for the winners, inspired by the Olympics—each medal is made of 92% silver, 6% gold, and 2% other alloys—and weighs 300 grams.
The RBI women’s team, led by Sreeja Akula, the national champion, and Ayhika Mukherjee, is determined to reclaim the silverware. Sreeja, a former world top-ranked player, will be joined by rising stars Diya Chitale, Harsha Vardhini, and experienced Nikhat Banu.
However, their women’s squad has a tough task in defending the title they won last year even as the organisation aims to reclaim the silverware—a rare achievement that would be a source of pride and lasting recognition for its players.
However, concerns over Sreeja’s recent injury layoff add an element of uncertainty to their campaign. The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) women’s team, despite missing Manika Batra, remains a formidable force. With veterans Mouma Das and Reeth Rishya alongside younger players like Yashaswini Ghorpade and Sayali Wani, PSPB cannot be discounted.
A strong challenge for RBI could come from the Railways team, featuring Sutirtha Mukherjee, fresh off a title win at the Panchkula National Ranking tournament, and rising talents like Poymantee Baisya and Anusha Kutumbale. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), with a promising group of young players including Swatika Ghosh and Radhapriya Goel, could also challenge for a spot on the podium. Other teams in the competition appear unlikely to break into the top four.
On the men’s side, the PSPB team remains dominant, with a lineup that includes Harmeet Desai, G. Sathiyan, Manav Thakar, Anthony Amalraj, and young P.B. Abhinand—making them favourites to win any team event. The Railway men’s team, a mix of youth and experience, will be led by Jeet Chandra, Arjun Ghosh, and Anirban Ghosh. The hosts, RBI, will look to Manush Shah, Vigney Patel Reddy, and Souvik Roy to step up as potential dark horses. AAI also has a promising team with players like Yashansh Malik and K.J. Akash, who could surprise the bigger teams.
The championships will conclude on the third day with the doubles matches following the medal ceremony. In the team draw, defending champions RBI are seeded second after a tie-breaker with the Railways, who share similar ranking points.
Competition Manager N. Ganeshan announced that Stiga equipment and DHS balls will be used for the events. Mangesh Mopkar will serve as the referee, assisted by deputies A.S. Kler and P. Bhaskar, with a team of Blue Badge, International, and National Umpires.
