The fourth edition of Ultimate Table Tennis which was supposed to happen this year has been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to postponed the league was taken in consultation with Table Tennis Federation of India(TTFI) and the UTT management. The Ultimate Table Tennis is India’s prime Table Tennis Event like IPL is for cricket and ISL for Football.
“We must avoid any risk to the health and safety of the players and other stakeholders, especially with 2021 being an Olympic year. Furthermore, international travel restrictions still abound with clarity awaited on the same. So after evaluating the current situation and after due deliberations with TTFI, we have arrived at a mutual consensus to not conduct UTT in this calendar year. We are optimistic that 2021 will be healthier and happier, and in due course of time we hope to announce the dates for UTT to be held next year,” UTT co-promoters Vita Dani and Niraj Bajaj said in a joint statement.
Ultimate Table Tennis have provided huge platform to young Indian Paddlers while also supporting domestic tournaments and the larger ecosystem of the sport in our nation and the league has played a prominent role in showcasing Top quality Table Tennis in India.
“We have been very keen for table tennis to resume, however, there are various issues to be considered and addressed. And under such circumstances, conducting UTT with the presence of foreign players doesn’t seem feasible. However, we are really looking forward to the fourth season of the League in 2021. We will identify a window to conduct UTT at the earliest next year, with the situation surrounding the pandemic also hopefully improving,” TTFI General Secretary MP Singh said.
This league was launched in 2017 and currently, six teams compete against each other. It is organized by 11 Sports promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani and held under the aegis of Table Tennis Federation of India. The matches are broadcasted live on Star Sports. The current Champions are Chennai Lions who defeated Dabang Delhi T.T.C in season 3 final held in 2019. All the other four teams who compete in this competition are Goa Challengers, Puneri Paltan T.T, RP-SG Mavericks Kolkata and U Mumba T.T.