The fourth version of Final Desk Tennis (UTT), scheduled in India from August 14 to 31, has been indefinitely postponed as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. With sporting occasions but to begin within the nation and the Worldwide Desk Tennis Federation (ITTF) itself nonetheless not sure in regards to the resumption {of professional} tour, the postponement was inevitable.
UTT, which started in 2017, was to happen after the Tokyo Olympics, which has now been moved to subsequent 12 months due to the pandemic.
“You want permissions from the state and central authorities, examine gamers availability and discussions with the ITTF should happen. I see none of that occuring within the close to future,” former participant and promoter of UTT, 11sports activities director Kamlesh Mehta informed PTI.
“We’d need it to occur later this 12 months however must discuss to ITTF for the brand new dates as we all the time resolve our schedule relying on the world physique’s calendar. However proper now none has any readability, together with the ITTF. We are able to solely wait and watch.”
UTT acquired an official window within the ITTF calendar for the primary two years however with skilled season getting busier, it didn’t get one final 12 months. Although Chinese language gamers have stayed away from collaborating within the UTT, the occasion has attracted high gamers from Germany, Sweden, Chinese language Taipei, Hong Kong and Portugal.
The league has additionally supplied a lot wanted publicity to the budding expertise in India in addition to high quality competitors to the nation’s greatest gamers, together with Sharath Kamal, G Sathiyan and Manika Batra.