ITTF President meets CM Naveen Patnaik to discuss promotion of table tennis in Odisha

YEAR |
Updated: April 2, 2023 at 10:30 p.m IS

Bhubaneswar (Odisha)[India]April 2 (ANI): Representatives of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the International Table Tennis Federation Foundation met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the meeting, Patnaik announced the establishment of table tennis academies in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and the establishment of table tennis training centers in the upcoming indoor halls.
The delegation included ITTF and ITTF Foundation President Petra Sorling, ITTF Foundation Director Leandro Olvech, ITTF Foundation Program Manager Saurabh Mishra, ITTF Foundation Program Coordinator Julia Tappendorf.
ITTF President Petra Sorling presented Prime Minister Patnaik with the Table Tennis for Development handbook on using table tennis for social change, developed in collaboration with GIZ and Pro Sport Development India, who are running the Community Table Tennis project in Bhubaneswar. ITTF Foundation’s Dream Building Fund.

Chief Minister Patnaik welcomed the delegation and appreciated the efforts of the ITTF to promote table tennis in the state and the country and assured them of all support.
The delegation expressed their joy and desire to be in Odisha and work closely with the government and support the state’s efforts to grow the sport of table tennis. They said that they organize competitive events, plan the social legacy of table tennis events and organize table tennis coach training.
The ITTF Foundation strongly supports the Prime Minister’s vision of empowering and developing the youth of Odisha through sports and using sports to leave a stronger and sustainable future. The ITTF Foundation is the sports development body of the ITTF Group and supports a project in Bhubaneswar to use table tennis to promote gender empowerment and equality.
The Chief Minister informed the delegation about the state government’s decision to set up Table Tennis Academies at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. In addition, Table Tennis training centers will be established in all indoor halls in the state. He sought their help to conduct training programs and host international TT events in Odisha.
The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his investment in sports and his plan to develop TT. They appreciated the Commonwealth TT Championship organized in 2019 in Cuttack and assured their support to bring more such events to Odisha. (LETTER I)