Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), the undisputed powerhouse of institutional table tennis, start as favourties even as, after weeks of uncertainty, the 52nd Institutional Table Tennis Championships finally get underway at the Abhay Prashal in Indore on Tuesday, promising seven days of intense action and high-stakes competition.
Although officially the second-most important event on the domestic calendar, the championships still carry the second-highest ranking points in the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) circuit. Yet, the tournament’s stature has visibly waned in recent years, reflected in the dwindling number of institutions willing to host an event of such magnitude.
Last year’s edition, hosted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) at Chandigarh, set an exceptional benchmark. Marking its 90th anniversary, the RBI delivered a near-flawless tournament (except retaining the title), enhanced prize money extending from the pre-quarterfinal stage, top-class accommodation, quality hospitality, and thoughtfully curated mementoes, raising the bar for institutional championships nationwide.
Matching that scale is never easy, but the Airports Authority of India (AAI) brings a unique credential with it. Remarkably, this will be the sixth time in the last decade that AAI has staged the championships, an achievement made more noteworthy by the fact that AAI does not recruit players as permanent employees, instead supporting talent through scholarships.
Despite the hosts’ enthusiasm, participation numbers paint a worrying picture: 12 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams will compete, figures that underline the need for renewed institutional commitment. Still, the reduced field offers a window of opportunity for less-fancied teams to punch above their weight.
Standing firmly in the way, as always, is the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), the undisputed powerhouse of institutional table tennis. Perennial champions, PSPB, once again start as favourites in both sections and are seeded at the top of Group A in the men’s draw, ahead of Railways and RBI. In the women’s competition, RBI leads Group B, with Railways heading Group C.
PSPB’s strength is formidable
PSPB’s strength is formidable. The men’s squad boasts world No. 36 Manav Thakkar, Ranchi men’s singles champion Payas Jain, seasoned campaigners Harmeet Desai and G. Sathiyan, and the promising Divyansh Srivastava, a blend of youth, experience, and pedigree that few can match.
Their women’s team is equally compelling, featuring an exciting young core in Yashashwini Ghorpade, Swastika Ghosh, Taneesha Kotecha, and Syndrela Das, supported by the experience of Reeth Rishya. Together, they possess the firepower to unsettle even the most established rivals, including former champions RBI.
Sreeja’s absence weakens RBI’s title defence
RBI, however, will lean heavily on Diya Chitale and Ayhika Mukherjee, with Nikhat Banu, Harsha Vardhini, and Priyadarsini Das providing depth. The absence of Sreeja Akula, sidelined after a stress fracture and with limited appearances this season, is a significant blow and weakens their title defence.
That shift opens the door for the Railways to emerge as PSPB’s strongest challengers across both sections. The men’s unit, Akash Pal, Jeet Chandra, Anirban Ghosh, Ronit Bhanja, and Preyesh Raj, has the firepower to trouble any side. The women’s squad, comprising Sutirtha Mukherjee, Kaushani Nath, Anusha Kutumbale, Poymantee Baisya, and Sampada Bhiwandikar, is equally competitive. Their biggest challenge, however, lies in fielding the right combinations and sustaining peak performance match after match.
For the remaining teams, podium aspirations will demand nothing short of exceptional performances to stand out in a fiercely competitive field.
While team events may follow familiar patterns, the singles competitions promise a different narrative. With ranking points and prize money on offer, players are expected to summon extra reserves after three demanding days of team battles. The doubles events, slotted in between, add another layer of intrigue and incentive.
Off the table, preparations are watertight. Competition manager N Ganeshan, referee Mangesh Mopker, and deputy referee K R Manjunatha, supported by a 48-member officiating team, ensure technical excellence. With 16 Stag Iconic tables, professional flooring, and tournament-grade balls in place, AAI is ready to deliver a championship where every rally matters.
