Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership for the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender, which will be held in Goa from January 23 to 28, 2024.
Leading domestic sports analytics company Stupa Sports Analytics was the first to introduce The Star Contender to India initially. WTT Star Contender Goa, one of the most important competitions on the global table tennis calendar, was held in Goa for its first edition earlier this year, showcasing some of the most talented players in the world, such as World No. 1 Fan Zhendong, Japanese prodigy Tomokazu Harimoto, World No. 4 Wang Yidi, and World No. 5 Hina Hayata. Along with that, 40 Indian players participated in the tournament, setting a record for a WTT event.
UTT’s goal has always been to create a premier league and a vibrant platform that connects players and supporters in India and around the world. To set new standards for the game, UTT has played a significant role in developing a thriving table tennis community.
UTT, Co-Promoter, Vita Dani, said, “This collaboration signifies a commitment to fostering international camaraderie in table tennis and encouraging the passionate community of players and fans to unite in India like never before. The WTT Star Contender Goa is poised to be a global showcase of talent, skill, and competition.”
The WTT Star Contender will likely reach new heights and establish itself as a sporting icon in India as a result of its collaboration with Stupa Sports Analytics, which is a major turning point in UTT’s history. With the goal of uniting players from all over the globe for a week-long celebration of table tennis excellence, this joint effort is expected to transcend geographic boundaries.
Stupa Sports Analytics CEO and Co-Founder Megha Gambhir, commented, “The first edition of WTT Star Contender Goa was a great success. Table tennis is still at a nascent stage in India and tournaments like this not only show sport’s potential commercially but also encourage its overall growth.”
The prestigious competition is a part of the six-star Contender series, in which only the top 30 players are allowed to compete (with six players from the top 20 in the world rankings required to participate). With an astounding $250,000 in prize money up for grabs, players can earn ranking points and earn spots in the WTT Cup Finals and WTT Champions Series.
Only the top 30 players are allowed to compete in the high-profile tournament, which is a part of the six-star Contender series events. Six players must be ranked in the top 20 worldwide. Along with an astounding $250,000 in prize money, players can earn ranking points and earn spots in the WTT Cup Finals and WTT Champions Series.
Under the direction of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis will co-host the competition.
Kamlesh Mehta, Secretary General of the TTFI, said, “Playing against world-class players or watching them from a close quarter always inspires the younger generation. This tournament is a great opportunity for our Indian players. We, at TTFI, extend full support to Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis to make the second edition a grand success.”
The International Table Tennis Federation created World Table Tennis (WTT) in 2019 as the hub for elite men’s and women’s table tennis competitions worldwide. The four Grand Smashes are the highest-ranked competitions in the series, which includes many events held all year.