SHILLONG:
Laban Sports Club Table Tennis Academy launched the eagerly awaited second edition of the Meghalaya Open Table Tennis Cash Prize Tournament on Friday with great enthusiasm. The event, held at the Laban Sports Club Table Tennis Academy, showcased intense competition among talented players across various age categories on Day 1.
In the Under-19 Boys Singles category, young participants exhibited exceptional skills and unwavering determination. The crowd was treated to remarkable performances from Jilson Kurbah, Abhik Dutta, Shreyash Nair, Debobrata Paul, Steppingstone Lyngdoh, Kapil Biswakarma, Abhra Dutta, Ansh Ray, Labeeb F Ahmed, and Paban Kanta Kanwar.
The Under-15 Boys Singles category also witnessed promising talent on display. Krishchiv Choudhury, Wangden Lama, Baraka A Rynjah, and Ethan Mark Marbaniang demonstrated their prowess on the table and secured notable victories.
In the Women’s Qualifying round, female participants exhibited their skills and determination. Shriya Thapa, Janice Rynjah, Janiced Rynjah, Priti Nongbet, and Dariti Marbaniang delivered exceptional performances, setting the stage for thrilling matches in the subsequent rounds.
The Men’s Singles category saw fierce battles between skilled players. Labeeb F Ahmed received a walkover in the first round, while Abhik Dutta, Aryan Joshi, Steppingstone Lyngdoh, P Haokip, Debobrata Paul, Kapil Biswakarma, Paban Kanta Kanwar, Shreyash Nair, and Ash Ray advanced to the next stage with impressive victories.
Adding another layer of excitement, the Men’s Doubles category featured exhilarating performances from pairs such as Shreyash & Paban, Amit Saraf & Harendra Singha, Ansh Ray & Abhik Dutta, P Haokip & Binod Chetri, Suranjit Dey & Sandeep, Amit Gupta & Labeeb, Rituraj & Santanu, and Kapil & Aryan Joshi, leaving the audience in awe.
In the Veteran Singles category, seasoned players showcased their experience and determination through intense matches. Amit Saraf, Vijay Tahapa, J A Warbah, Amit Gupta, Ranjan Deb, Gautam Das, Santanu Ghosh, Gilbert Sohtun, Harendra Singha, Biswajit Das Gupta, and Satish Pradhan demonstrated exceptional table tennis skills.
The competition continued with the Veteran Doubles category, where pairs like Ranjan Deb & Biswajit Das Gupta, Joel Nongbri & Amit Gupta, Bishnu Joshi & Santanu Ghosh, and Amit Saraf & P Haokip displayed remarkable teamwork and coordination.
Earlier, in the day The tournament began on a delightful note with a captivating performance by Kyntiewlin Mawphniang, a budding artist from Meghalaya and the best performer in Meghalaya’s Got Talent. Mawphniang enchanted the audience with her lovely performance, setting the perfect tone for the tournament’s commencement.
The opening ceremony kicked off with a warm welcome address delivered by Panborlang Nongkynrih, an Executive Committee Member of Laban Sports Club.
Sammy Myrthong, President of Laban Sports Club, took the opportunity to speak about the club’s renowned academy. Myrthong,expressed his gratitude to all the participants and emphasized the club’s commitment to making the Laban Sports Club the premier Table Tennis Academy in the Northeast region.
“We have submitted a proposal to the government to transform Laban Sports Club into the best Table Tennis Academy in the Northeast. Our aim is to elevate this sport to new heights and establish this venue as a hub for high-altitude practice for national players. With this larger tournament, we are determined to nurture and showcase the finest talents from Meghalaya,” stated Myrthong.
The Chief Guest, Rosetta M Kurbah (IAS), Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, addressed the participants with encouraging words. She urged the athletes to remain focused on their goals, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-belief.
“We must remain dedicated to our goals and not succumb to criticism or the opinions of others. Hard work and determination are vital to achieving success. Let us maintain a balance between our studies and our passion for sports. Discipline is key,” shared Kurbah.
David Laitphlang, the Vice-President of Laban Sports Club, highlighted the club’s illustrious milestones, reflecting on its rich history and achievements. Laitphlang expressed his pride in the club’s accomplishments, stating, “Laban Sports Club has been a pillar of excellence since its inception. We have excelled in football, hockey, cricket, and now we are making significant strides in Table Tennis. The unwavering support of the entire community has propelled us forward, and we have a promising future in this sport.”
Edward Kharwanlang, the Guest of Honour and Rangbah Shnong of Laban, also inspired the audience with a motivating speech, urging the participants to give their best and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.
Suresh Singh, a senior member of Laban Sports Club, concluded the series of speeches with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all the individuals and organizations that contributed to the success of the tournament.