India’s first-ever professional TT league, Ultimate Table Tennis, will have to address some teething issues for better impact next year, feel top players and administrators involved with the just-concluded inaugural season.
For starters, there is unanimity over the need to change the format, which comprised nine three-game matches in a race to 14 points. On an average, a tie ended up lasting four hours.
Bit of a drag
Arguably India’s finest player, Sharath Kamal, feels the format was bit of a drag.
“It is something I have already conveyed to the organisers. Nine matches were a bit too much.
“It took about four hours for the entire tie to get over, therefore making it tougher for fan engagement,” Sharath said.
“I think keeping the tie duration under three hours can be the way forward. Having said that, there are bound to be some issues in the first year.
Event world class
“The event overall was world class and made the Indian table tennis players feel special in their own country like never before,” said the world number 43 further.
Harmeet Desai, said playing a pro league in India was a dream come true, adding that the length of the league could have been longer. The league took place from July 13 to 30.
“Three weeks was a bit on the shorter side I felt. The leagues in Europe take place for a longer period. However, the overall feedback has been very positive. UTT is a much-needed boost to Indian table tennis and the players. Even the foreign players went back a happy lot.
“I am confident more foreigners will turn up for the second season,” Desai said.