Table tennis has traditionally been a sport played in the knockout format in India. As a result, the singles draw has been a bone of contention with whispers often emerging about it favouring certain players at times.
There will be no room for such allegations this season as starting with the 11Even Sports National-ranking (Central Zone) table tennis championship, an open draw system has been adopted for the first time.
The draw of lots was held in the presence of Table Tennis Federation of India officials and, more importantly, player representatives.
The system will be followed for all national-ranking tournaments this season.
“Openness means involving players in the decision-making process. This step will get back the trust of the players in the system and help them play with a free mind,” Sanil Shetty, the 2015 National champion and second seed in the men’s draw here, told The Hindu on Monday.
N. Arul Selvi, a former National Games champion who is now a coach, has no doubts that the experiment will be a success.
“I am sure it is the fairest way for a draw. It is a welcome move and I hope it continues,” she said.
Besides, the introduction of group leagues in the qualifying stage will also offer more chances for fringe players to make it to the main draw.
All the 10 events have seen multiple groups of four paddlers each for qualification.
While the top two players from each group in men and women will make it to the main draw, the junior events will see the group-topper joining the seeded players in the main draw.
Important results:
Women: (qualifying round 1): Group 5: Poulami Das (WB) bt Shruti Amrute (Mah) 6-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8; Jitakhee Mazumdar (Asm) bt Praneetha Challa (AP) 11-8, 12-10, 12-14, 11-9. Group 9: Priyanka Pareek (Raj) bt Shumshmita Bidri (Kar) 11-3, 6-11, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10; K.G. Aparna bt Ayushi Singh (UP) 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5. Group 19: Akula Sreeja (TS) 11-5, 12-10, 13-11 bt Anushree Hazra (WB) 11-5, 12-10, 13-11; Mamata Prabhu (RBI) bt Ananya Thakur (Pun) 11-5, 11-4, 11-2.