Internet Desk: With the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open just over a week away, the official logo of the tournament was launched by Ms. Vita Dani, Chairperson of 11Even Sports, in the presence of the sports minister of India Mr Vijay Goel at Delhi, here on Friday.
The elite tournament is offering the country’s highest prize money of US$ 120,000 and will be held at the Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi from February 14-19, 2017. It is being organised by 11Even Sports with the support of Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). The tournament is part of the elite Seamaster ITTF World Tour, which takes place in only 11 other countries other than India. A number of top international players, including World No. 5 Dmitrij Ovtcharov of Germany and World No. 8 Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus in the men’s category and the Hong Kong duo of World No. 14 Doo Hoi Kem and No. 19 Ching Lee Ho in the women’s category, will be seen in action. India’s best players, including Achanta Sharath Kamal and Soumyajit Ghosh among men as well as Manika Batra and Mouma Das among women, will also be vying for top honours.
Talking at the logo launch, Mr Goel said, “It is a matter of great pride that India has been chosen as one of the countries to host this tournament. It will not only raise the stature of the country in the global community but also will give table tennis fans a chance to witness the best players from across the world in action. I would really like to congratulate 11Even Sports and TTFI and wish them luck for the tournament.”
Expressing her delight at the logo launch, Ms. Vita Dani, Chairperson, 11Even Sports, said, “Our primary target is to raise the profile of table tennis in the country and we believe the India Open will be a big step in achieving that goal. I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr Goel for his support. I believe that with continued support from patrons like him, we will soon make table tennis a major sport in India.”