PANAJI
Goa will host the seventh season of franchise-based Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league for the first time in July, organisers said on Thursday.
Matches will be held at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, where city-based franchises and international paddlers will compete in the country’s premier table tennis league.
Among the participating teams will be Dempo Goa Challengers, the Goa-based franchise that has emerged as one of the most successful sides in the competition, winning back-to-back titles in recent seasons before reaching the semi-finals in the last edition.
Fans will be able to watch the competition live on the Star Sports Network, while digital streaming will be available on JioHotstar.
Organised by 11Sports Pvt. Ltd. under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), UTT was launched in 2017 and has since grown into one of India’s prominent professional sports leagues, bringing together leading global players and top Indian talent.
Previous editions of the league have been staged in Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, and most recently in Ahmedabad, with Goa becoming the latest destination to host the tournament.
“Ultimate Table Tennis has steadily become a key pillar in India’s table tennis ecosystem. Over the years, we’ve seen the standard of the sport rise across every level, from grassroots programmes to international competition. The league has created more exposure, stronger competition, and greater belief among Indian players,” UTT co-promoter Vita Dani said.
“Our focus remains on building a world-class league that inspires young athletes, engages fans, and supports the long-term development of the sport. With the progress Indian table tennis has made recently, we are hopeful that initiatives like UTT can continue to contribute towards the larger vision of bringing India an Olympic medal in table tennis,” she added.
Since its launch, the league has completed six seasons and featured leading Indian paddlers such as Achanta Sharath Kamal, along with emerging players including Diya Chitale, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah competing alongside international stars.
The league has coincided with a period of growth for Indian table tennis, with both the men’s and women’s national teams qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time at the most recent edition.
Organisers said details regarding the player auction and the full list of participants for Season 7 will be announced in the coming weeks.
