Shillong Sept 11: It was all about talent and top quality display of ping pong on the finale of the 1st Meghalaya Open Table Tennis cash prize tournament 2022, held on Sunday. Organisers of the tournament could not have asked for a better ending – the icing on the cake provided by the Table Tennis Academy of the Laban Sports Club, Aryan Joshi who outclassed the more formidable and number one seed T Yogesh 4-1 in a thrilling encounter.

The tournament was organised by the Table Tennis Academy of the Laban Sports Club.

In his quest for glory, Joshi had to fight back injury, an ankle sprain which resulted from a pre-finale training, to outshine his more experience opponent. In a gruelling battle lasting for well over an hour and a half, Joshi unleashed his killer instincts which he candidly has been imbibed in him by the academy.

In the women singles final played over seven sets, a budding young Wanpyntngenlang Lyngdoh from Nongstoin beat another tournament favourite, Camellia Diengdoh 4-2 in a close thriller. Both players displayed immense talent, strength and technique to grab the attention of the spectators and participants alike.

For the organisers it was a tournament full of welcome surprises and a delight for the spectators. The happiest of the lot were the players and pupils of the infant TT Academy of the Laban Sports Club which organised the milestone event.

The Chief Guest at the closing ceremony, Minister Sanbor Shullai who is also the Chief Patron of the 116 years old Club expressed joy and great satisfaction at the effort of the Club to lift the level of table tennis in the State. “It is heartening to see the Club organise the first of its kind TT tournament in the State, which has brought out so many hidden talents, not to forget the veterans who still have so much passion for the game,” Shullai said while adding, “This must pave the way to make people and especially aspiring players and parents, understand the importance of table tennis as a sport and a gainful profession as well.”

The Minister promised the Club an amount of INR 1 lac to help it in its activities, while assuring that there will be more in the days to come.

The boys under 19 matches witnessed an exciting duel between two of the academy’s students each trying to dish out the best they can, with Prashanta Sarmah Bordoloi narrowly defeating Labeeb Faisel Ahmed 3-2 in a best of five match.

In the boys under -14 final Debobroto Paul defeated his opponent Krishiv Chaudhary 3-0. Paul, who has been working hard on improving his game displayed great skill and control, both physical and mental. His challenger however, despite the final score, didn’t make the going easy for his more experienced opponent, challenging him on several occasions with fast paced movements and shot execution.

What got the crowd going was the Veterans Singles and Doubles which saw some star players of yesteryears showing that they still had it in them. The gentlemen captivated the spectators and students alike with their command over the discipline, at times dishing out exciting rallies, coupled with exotic smashes that had people rising from their seats.

Nirmalaya Bhattacharjee, who came all the way from Cooch Behar to participate in the tournament took the trophy home defeating another ace player of yesteryears Gilbert Sohtun 3-1 in a best of five match. Both gentlemen easily displayed that they still had a lot in them, and it was a treat to watch the young aspirants absorbing each flick of the wrist to send the ball flying swiftly across the table.

Bhattacharjee left the venue a much-satisfied man, after he along with his partner S. Pyngrope defeated their equally challenging opponents R.B. Das and Ranjan Dey 3-0 in the veteran doubles final.

The organisers also acknowledged the efforts of 5-year-old Shriya Thapa, the youngest player of the tourney, and R. B. Das, the oldest player of the tournament, who at age 72 could have easily fooled anyone with his versatility, style and commitment to the game.

The icing on the cake was however a tournament discovery in young Shreyash Nair, who in a short span of only four months at the Academy nearly pulled of a major upset narrowly losing to eventual winner Debobroto Paul in a clincher of a semi-final decider 2-3 yesterday.

Of the total 110 registered participants, which is a record breaker, the tournament was played in a knockout format with a total of 6 umpires and one Chief Referee Banshan Diengdoh, an accomplished player, presently a national umpire, adjudicating the matches. The winners walked home with cash prizes worth INR 78,000/-, besides worthy mementos to mark their participation in this landmark event for posterity.

The Club expresses its gratefulness to all the dedicated office bearers, members, non-members, players, parents, instructors, support staff, friends and well wishers alike. “I am awestruck at the huge success of the tournament, not only in terms of participants, but also the large attendance on both days, despite low publicity,” Sammy N Myrthong, President of the Club said, adding, “This has boosted our morale and we are immensely gratified that so many aspiring TT players are converging at the Academy to better their game and prove their worth. We shall strive to do better.”

The Club wishes to place on record its deed gratitude to the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and Directorate of Information & Public Relations for their kind support, Tibhar, TT equipment manufacturer, players’ diet partner Palace Restaurant, catering partner Golfer’s Café, hydration partner Um Rupa, connectivity partner Bezaleel Networking, print partner The Meghalayan and broadcast partner Lelangki Cable Network for their generous support towards various requirements of the tournament that came through with flying colours.