The sixth season of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), India’s premier professional table tennis league, is underway in Ahmedabad with eight teams competing for the prestigious trophy. The season began on May 29, 2025 and is set to end on June 15, 2025, with all games taking place at the cutting-edge EKA Arena.
UTT has improved the sport since its inception in 2017, presenting the best international and domestic athletes. The competition has played a significant role in the steady development of table tennis talent in India, providing an opportunity for fresh players to compete and grow in a professional setting.
Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers, U Mumba TT, Chennai Lions, Jaipur Patriots, Ahmedabad SG Pipers, Pune Jaguars (previously PBG Pune Jaguars), and the newly formed Kolkata ThunderBlades. Each squad consists of elite Indian and foreign players such as Manika Batra and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, who are guided by globally renowned coaches. Matches follow a league structure that leads to playoffs, with live coverage on Star Sports and streaming on JioHotstar.
To know more about the league, SportsMint Media had the privilege of interviewing Mrs Vita Dani, Co-founder of Ultimate Table Tennis.
During the brief conversation, Mrs. Dani discussed her vision for the league, how her expertise in other sports enterprises has helped her operate UTT, plans for acquiring and keeping long-term sponsors, and more.
1. UTT is now in its sixth season. What’s your overall vision for the league going forward? What does the future look like?
When we started this journey with Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), I had just one dream, and that dream still continues: to help India win an Olympic medal in table tennis. I believe that’s one of the highest honors and most cherished aspirations for any sportsperson. I’m happy, along with Mr. Bajaj, that we are steadily moving toward that goal. In fact, at the Paris Olympics, we came very close. We could see the finish line, even if we didn’t quite reach it. But the most encouraging part is that we now know it’s within sight and that gives us the belief to keep pushing. So yes, that remains the ultimate goal: an Olympic medal for India.
2. How does your experience in other sports businesses help in running UTT?
I’ve always believed that there’s a lot to learn from other sports and leagues. Every property, be it football, kabaddi, or cricket, has its own strengths. The idea is to take best practices from each and adapt them to suit table tennis. We’re not afraid to experiment. For instance, in UTT we introduced the Golden Point rule, mixed doubles matches, and even ball kids to speed up play and make the broadcast more engaging. What’s exciting is that some of these innovations are now being adopted in other global tournaments. That gives us confidence that we’re doing something right and that we’re creating benchmarks for others to follow.
3. How does the competitive nature of UTT help Indian players grow and chase that Olympic medal dream?
Having a great coach, being physically and mentally fit, those are all essential. But equally important is having a strong sparring partner and quality match practice. That’s what UTT brings to the table. How often do our players get to compete with and against, world-class players in a high-pressure, professional setting? UTT offers that platform. This kind of exposure is priceless. Beating a top player builds self-confidence and belief. That renewed energy is what players take back with them, and I’m confident it will help elevate the overall standard of table tennis in India.
4. From a business perspective, what’s your strategy for attracting and retaining long-term sponsors for UTT?
We’re very happy to share that we’ve seen consistency in our sponsorships. In fact, last year, we sold out all our inventory for the first time and that trend is continuing. But beyond just UTT, what really excites me is that more money and interest are now flowing into the wider table tennis ecosystem. That’s what matters most. We need sponsorship not only at the league level but also at the grassroots state and national championships, ranking tournaments, and local leagues. As long as we can bring support across all levels, the sport will grow.
5. Last season the league was broadcast on Viacom. This year it’s moved to JioStar? How important is that shift?
Yes, that’s right. It’s absolutely vital to be on the right platform. A partnership with a big broadcaster like JioStar is strategic, not just for us as a league, but for the sport itself. It’s a win-win situation. JioStar is looking to grow, and so are we. With their reach and our product, we can amplify the sport’s visibility. That synergy is key, and long-term partnerships like this can be game-changers.
6. Looking ahead, how do you see UTT’s financial model evolving in the next three to five years? How are you preparing for that?
Our immediate focus is to ensure that franchises break even, and eventually turn profitable. I’m proud to say that at least one of our franchises has already achieved that milestone. Apart from the IPL, which is in a league of its own and maybe the PKL, there aren’t many leagues in India where that’s happening. So we’re proud of that progress, and the aim is to help all franchises reach that point. Now, when it comes to ROI, we’re not here to make money personally. For us, the return on investment is reflected in performance. And I must credit our players, they’ve done incredibly well on the international stage, whether it’s at the Olympics or other major events. They continue to make us proud. That’s the real return for us: seeing Indian table tennis grow and thrive on the world stage.
