Players from different franchises pose ahead of the Ultimate Table Tennis to be held in Panaji at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The first six editions of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) have been an eventful, and at times chequered, journey: one marked by world-class competition and the sport’s growing international visibility. At the same time, the league has had to contend with franchise instability, a modest spectator following, and the inconsistent availability of world’s top paddlers, among other challenges.
However, the arrival of Butterfly as title sponsor for five years (2026–30) — despite the reduction in the number of teams from eight to to seven last season — has been a major boost.
The partnership is a strong endorsement of UTT’s long-term potential. It should provide the league with greater financial stability, help sustain its growth and, hopefully, enable it to address some of the problems that have accompanied its journey so far.
Holding the league in Goa for the first time also presents an opportunity to engage with a new fan base. The organisers will be hoping for strong local support and a vibrant atmosphere at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Thursday, when two-time champion Dempo Goa Challengers takes on defending champion U Mumba TT in the opening tie.
Goa has assembled one of the youngest squads in the league, with four players aged between 16 and 21, in contrast to the more experienced defending champion. Yet, Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, the tournament’s highest-ranked women’s player at World No. 25, believes the side has what it takes to challenge for the title.
“It will not be easy because our team has many young players without much experience. But Alvaro (Robles) and I can help build the team and try to win the title,” she said.
Diya Chitale, who will represent PBG Pune Jaguars this season, summed up the appeal of the league: “I think UTT is always a very fun and amazing tournament for me. I just try to enjoy the atmosphere and do my best.”
The seventh edition will also use the Table Tennis Review (TTR) system where incidents such as service height, service angle, table edge contact, etc. can be reviewed. Each team will have a maximum of three unsuccessful reviews per tie.
Published – July 08, 2026 06:19 pm IST
