Delegates from International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and International Table Tennis Federation Foundation met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar today. The delegation included Petra Sorling, President, ITTF and ITTF Foundation, Leandro Olvech, Director, ITTF Foundation, Saurabh Mishra, Programme Manager, ITTF Foundation, Julia Tappendorf, Program Coordinator, ITTF Foundation.

ITTF President Petra Sorling presented Chief Minister Patnaik the Table Tennis for Development handbook on using table tennis for social change, developed in partnership with GIZ, and Pro Sport Development India, who are running the Community Table Tennis project in Bhubaneswar, supported by the Dream Building Fund of ITTF Foundation.

Welcoming the delegation, Chief Minister Patnaik praised the effort of the ITTF to   promote table tennis in the state and country and assured them of all support.

The delegation expressed their delight and keenness to be in Odisha and work closely with the Government and support the endeavour of the state to grow the sport of table tennis. They shared that they will organise competitive events, plan social legacy of table tennis events, and provide coach education in table tennis.

Chief Minister informed the delegation on the state government decision to set up table tennis academies in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Also table tennis training centres will be set up across all the indoor halls in the state. He sought their help in coaches training programs and hosting international TT events in Odisha.

The delegation appreciated the Commonwealth TT Championship organised in 2019 in Cuttack and assured support to bring more such events to Odisha.
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PHOTO: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and delegates from International Table Tennis Federation pose during a meeting in Bhubaneswar on 2 April 2022.