The Athletics Centre at Kalinga Stadium is poised to become the epicentre of table tennis excellence as the 28th ITTF–ATTU Asian Table Tennis Team Championships unfold from October 11 to 15, 2025.
This landmark event, a joint endeavor by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU), Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), Odisha Table Tennis Association, and the Sports & Youth Services Department of the Government of Odisha, marks the first time the championships are being hosted in Odisha and signals a triumphant return to India after a 16-year absence.
Anticipation is building with nearly 500 participants, including players and support staff, hailing from 22 nations: India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Bangladesh, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Uzbekistan. Fierce competition awaits in both men’s and women’s team categories, with the top performers securing coveted spots at the ITTF World Table Tennis Team Championships 2026 in London.
Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted the star power on display during a press conference today, noting that several top-ranked international players will grace the courts. Representing India with pride are Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra, Diya Chitale, Yashaswini Ghorpade, and Swastika Ghosh in the women’s category, alongside Ankur Bhattacharya, Payas Jain, Manush Shah, Snehit Suravajjula, and Manav Thakkar in the men’s draw.
Athletes from across the globe have already touched down in Bhubaneswar, kicking off rigorous practice sessions amid seamless arrangements orchestrated by the Department. From ITTF-approved world-class playing infrastructure to top-tier hospitality, accommodation, and security, every detail has been meticulously planned to ensure a flawless experience for all.
The buzz has been amplified through vibrant promotional efforts, including the unveiling of the Championship Trophy on October 6, followed by an exhilarating Trophy Tour weaving through Bhubaneswar’s iconic tourist spots, colleges, and shopping malls. This initiative has ignited widespread excitement among sports enthusiasts and residents alike.
Fans eager to catch the action can secure their tickets via BookMyShow, making it easy to book seats online and immerse themselves in this global spectacle.
Adding to the sporting fervour, the 40th National Junior Athletics Championship got underway today at Kalinga Stadium, running through October 14, 2025. Over 2,000 young athletes from various states are in contention, with Odisha proudly fielding 75 participants—38 men and 37 women.
Minister Suraj beamed with pride at Odisha’s dual-hosting feat, emphasising the state’s ascent in the international sports landscape. “Odisha has carved a unique niche in global sports through cutting-edge infrastructure and a track record of hosting marquee events, such as India’s inaugural World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze at Kalinga Stadium this August,” he remarked.
Joining the Minister at the press conference were Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports & Youth Services Department; Sheikh Hayat Al Khalifa, Acting Regional Vice President of ATTU; N. Ganeshan, Tournament Director; and Olympian Padmashri Achanta Sharath Kamal.
As the paddles prepare to fly, Bhubaneswar stands ready to etch another chapter in Odisha’s sporting legacy.
