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Stupa Sports and Ultimate Table Tennis collaborate for WTT Star Contender in Goa
Mumbai: Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) are proud to announce a strategic collaboration for the upcoming WTT Star Contender, slated to take place in Goa from 23 to 28 January 2024.
The Star Contender was first brought to India by Stupa Sports Analytics, a leading homegrown global sports analytics firm. As one of the most prestigious events in the international table tennis calendar, WTT Star Contender Goa took place earlier this year and had some of the world’s biggest stars on the show, including the World No. 1 Fan Zhendong, Japanese prodigy Tomokazu Harimoto, World No. 4 Wang Yidi, and World No. 5 Hina Hayata, descending to Goa for the inaugural edition. Besides that, the tournament also saw participation of 40 Indian players which was the highest for a WTT event.
The partnership with Stupa Sports Analytics marks a significant milestone in UTT’s journey, promising to elevate the WTT Star Contender to new heights and solidify its status as a sporting landmark in India. This collaborative effort is set to transcend geographical boundaries, bringing together players from around the world for a week-long celebration of table tennis excellence.
“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 the sport’s potential commercially but also encourage its overall growth,” Megha Gambhir Analytics CEO and co-founder of Stupa Sports commented.
As for UTT, it has consistently aimed at establishing a world-class league and providing a dynamic platform that unites players and fans, both in India and globally. With a vision to create unprecedented milestones for the sport, UTT has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant community around table tennis.
“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,” UTT co-promoter Vita Dani said.
The high-profile tournament is part of the six-star Contender series events where only the top 30 players are eligible to participate, with six players from the top 20 in the world rankings. The tournament boasts a massive prize pool of $250,000 and allows players to win ranking points and qualify for the WTT Cup Finals and WTT Champions Series.
The tournament will be co-hosted by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis under the guidance of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).
“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,” TTFI secretary general Kamlesh Mehta stated.
World Table Tennis (WTT), conceptualised by the International Table Tennis Federation in 2019, serves as the epicentre for professional men’s and women’s table tennis events globally. The series encompasses a multitude of events throughout the year, with the four Grand Smashes standing out as the highest-ranked tournaments.
China’s Liang Jingkun and Yidi had won men’s and women’s singles titles respectively in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
