Odisha has once again taken center stage in the global sports arena as it warmly welcomes participants of the ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Team Championship. The prestigious continental tournament officially kicked off at the Indoor Athletics Center, located within the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
This much-anticipated event has brought together top-tier table tennis talent from 22 Asian countries, marking the first time Odisha is hosting such a high-profile team competition in the sport.
A Sporting Milestone for Odisha
Inaugurated symbolically by Odisha’s Sports and Youth Services Minister Surya Banshi Suraj, the tournament is not just a celebration of athletic excellence but also a significant stride in promoting Brand Odisha on the global sporting map.
“Our state is proud to host the Asian Team Table Tennis Championship. This is another important chapter in Odisha’s sporting journey and a reflection of our growing reputation in international sports,” said Minister Suraj during the inauguration ceremony.
This event follows the successful hosting of the National Zonal Table Tennis Championships in Cuttack, showcasing Odisha’s rising stature as a dependable and ambitious sports host in India.
A World-Class Venue Reimagined
Interestingly, the venue for the tournament – the Indoor Athletics Stadium at Kalinga – was originally constructed for year-round training and indoor athletics competitions. Built at a cost of ₹120 crore, the facility is India’s first dedicated indoor athletics stadium and boasts a world-class blue Mondo synthetic track laid in an oval shape.
For the championship, the center space of the track has been creatively transformed into a vibrant table tennis arena. Temporary tables, seating, and LED lighting setups have turned the space into a visual spectacle, combining athletics infrastructure with table tennis dynamics in a unique way that has impressed athletes and spectators alike.
The Crowd-Puller: OLLY the Mascot
Though table tennis is still growing in popularity compared to other mainstream sports, efforts have been made to enhance the spectator experience. With free ticket access to encourage local attendance, the crowd sizes may be modest, but the enthusiasm is high—thanks in part to OLLY, the playful mascot of Odisha sports.
OLLY, an olive ridley turtle, regularly interacts with fans, dances, poses for selfies, and spreads joy among the attendees. Interestingly, there are multiple OLLYs at the venue, creating curiosity and fun among spectators trying to guess who’s behind the mask. It has been revealed that the people inside the costume are students from BJB College, volunteering for the event.
Smooth Start on Day One
The opening day of matches in the First Division qualification stage saw no major upsets, with most top-seeded teams progressing as expected.
In the men’s section, teams like Kazakhstan (Seed 7), Iran (8), Singapore (9), Malaysia (10), and Thailand (11) all advanced to the knockout stage after strong performances in their respective group matches.
In the women’s division, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka secured spots in the semifinals with convincing wins.
Key match results from the day included:
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Men’s Matches:
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Kazakhstan def. Kyrgyzstan (3-0)
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Iran def. Maldives (3-0)
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Singapore def. Oman (3-0)
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Malaysia def. Macau (3-0)
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Uzbekistan def. Oman (3-0)
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Korea def. Macau (3-0)
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Women’s Matches:
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Singapore def. Maldives (3-0)
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Chinese Taipei def. Bangladesh (3-0)
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Malaysia def. Nepal (3-0)
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Iran def. Kyrgyzstan and Nepal (3-0 each)
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Macau def. Uzbekistan (3-2)
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Sri Lanka def. Mongolia (3-0)
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These results reflect the strong preparation and competitive spirit among the participating nations, especially with a ticket to the World Table Tennis Championships in London on the line for the top-performing teams.
A Platform for Table Tennis in Odisha
For Odisha, this championship isn’t just a sports event – it’s a movement. It aims to boost the popularity and grassroots interest in table tennis across the state. The Odisha Table Tennis Association expressed hope that this event will act as a catalyst for the sport’s growth in local schools, colleges, and training academies.
With its world-class infrastructure, unmatched hospitality, and growing experience in hosting international events, Odisha has firmly positioned itself as a rising sports hub of India.
The ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Team Championship is not just about winning medals – it’s about building bridges between nations, celebrating athleticism, and showcasing Odisha’s evolving identity as a leader in sports excellence. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes are on Bhubaneswar, where the heart of Asia is currently rallying to the rhythm of paddles and passion.