Vadodara is ready to take centre stage on the global table tennis calendar as it prepares to host back-to-back World Table Tennis (WTT) events in January 2026.
The Sama Indoor Sports Complex will welcome the WTT Youth Contender 2026 from January 2 to 5, followed by the WTT Feeder Series 2026 from January 7 to 11, marking another significant milestone in India’s growing stature as an international table tennis destination.
A total of 334 players from 10 countries will compete across the two tournaments, underlining both the scale and importance of the events. While the Youth Contender will feature 226 players from four countries across the U-11 to U-19 age groups, the Feeder Series will see 108 players from 10 nations battling for valuable ranking points and international exposure.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference on January 1, ahead of the opening serve, with officials highlighting the significance of hosting two WTT events in quick succession. For Vadodara, this is not just a return to international hosting duties but also a step forward this will be the second consecutive year the city hosts a WTT Youth Contender, while the WTT Feeder Series will be held in India for the first time.
Jayaben Thakkar, President of the Table Tennis Association of Vadodara (TTAB), expressed pride in the city’s growing role on the international circuit. She noted that Vadodara has steadily built the capacity and confidence to stage high-quality tournaments, and hosting a WTT Feeder event reflects the trust placed in local organisers by the global governing body.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
The Youth Contender will begin with U-13 and U-17 singles events on January 2, before the U-11, U-15, and U-19 categories take centre stage on January 4 and 5. The tournament has quickly become an important platform for India’s next generation, offering young players the chance to earn ranking points and experience international competition without the burden of overseas travel.
That pathway has already borne fruit. India dominated the 2025 edition, with Ankur Bhattacharjee and Syndrela Das claiming the U-19 boys’ and girls’ singles titles, respectively, while Divyanshi Bhowmick swept the U-15 and U-17 girls’ singles crowns. All three will be back in action this year, with Divyanshi competing in the U-17 and U-19 categories and Syndrela aiming to defend her U-19 title.
Hemang Joshi, Member of Parliament and Vice President of TTAB, highlighted how Vadodara has evolved into a table tennis hub. He pointed out that the city now regularly hosts National Ranking Tournaments, Para National Ranking events, and international competitions, reflecting a broader transformation in India’s sporting infrastructure and administrative capacity.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
The spotlight will then shift to the WTT Feeder Series, a crucial rung on the professional ladder that allows players to collect ranking points and edge closer to higher-tier events. The importance of hosting such a tournament at home was emphasised by Table Tennis Federation of India Secretary General Kamlesh Mehta, who noted that international travel remains one of the biggest financial barriers for Indian players. Hosting WTT events domestically not only reduces costs but also allows players to maximise home conditions while gaining exposure to high-quality opposition.
The Feeder Series will feature a strong international field, including World No. 75 Park Gahyeon and World No. 78 Yoo Yrein from the Korea Republic. India’s women’s singles challenge will be led by experienced campaigners Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee, alongside World No. 85 Yashaswini Ghorpade, who has received a wild card. Promising names such as Debolina Das and Maria Rony add further depth to the Indian contingent.
In the men’s singles, Manush Shah will be one of the key figures to watch. Shah recently created history with Diya Chitale by becoming part of the first Indian mixed doubles pair to qualify for the prestigious WTT Finals, and he will look to carry that momentum into Vadodara. He will be supported by seasoned internationals Harmeet Desai, Snehit S, and young star Ankur Bhattacharjee, who continues to impress across age-group and senior levels.
The doubles events will also see strong Indian representation, aided by multiple wild card entries. Young domestic pairings in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles underline the intent to use the Feeder Series as a developmental opportunity, not just a results-driven competition.
Beyond individual performances, the twin tournaments represent something larger for Indian table tennis. They signal a deliberate effort to bring the international circuit closer to home, strengthen the domestic competitive ecosystem, and provide young players with a seamless pathway from junior to senior levels. As the first balls are struck in Vadodara, the focus will be firmly on performance.
But equally important is the statement these events make: India is no longer just a participant on the world table tennis stage it is becoming a reliable host and an increasingly influential part of the global WTT calendar.
