Hyderabad's Ranga Reddy District Dominates 12th State Table-Tennis Championships
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Hyderabad’s Ranga Reddy District Shines at the 12th State Table‑Tennis Championships
The 12th edition of the Telangana State Table‑Tennis Championships (TT Chships), held in Hyderabad from 10 – 14 March, saw the district of Ranga Reddy emerge as a powerhouse. Over 200 players from all over the state converged on the state‑owned Indoor Games Complex, competing across six age brackets and both genders. While the championships drew attention for the level of play and the quality of coaching, it was the Ranga Reddy contingent that stole the headlines, bagging 12 gold medals and a host of silver and bronze honours in singles, doubles and mixed‑doubles events.
A Glorious Day for Ranga Reddy
The day that Ranga Reddy athletes took centre stage began with the opening ceremony at the Hyderabad Sports Authority’s (HSA) auditorium. In a speech that underscored the district’s commitment to nurturing grassroots talent, the Director of Sports for Ranga Reddy, Mr. K. M. Srinivas, applauded the state federation for organizing a “competitively fair” event that “allowed players to test themselves against the best.”
The real fireworks came when Ranga Reddy’s junior player, 14‑year‑old Rahul N. Reddy, lifted the gold trophy in the U‑16 men’s singles category, beating a tough field that included the reigning champion from Medak district. He followed this up with a victory in the U‑18 mixed doubles, partnering with 17‑year‑old Shreya Patel. “It’s amazing to see young players from our district taking top honours,” Srinivas remarked.
In the senior men’s singles, a seasoned player from Ranga Reddy, 28‑year‑old S. M. Prakash, edged out the favorite from Nizamabad with a close 4‑3 scoreline. “I’ve trained for months, and it’s all paid off today,” Prakash said, holding the trophy high as he spoke to the press. The senior women’s singles was dominated by R. B. Lakshmi, a 23‑year‑old from Nizampet, who claimed gold after a tight match against a competitor from Karimnagar. “The support from our local clubs and the coaching we receive here are the reasons for my success,” Lakshmi said.
The district’s doubles teams were equally impressive. In the men’s doubles, the pair of S. M. Prakash and R. N. Reddy won gold, while the women’s doubles champions were R. B. Lakshmi and S. N. Reddy. In the mixed‑doubles category, the Ranga Reddy duo of Rahul and Shreya secured another gold medal, completing a clean sweep for the district.
Behind the Success
While the players took home the trophies, many observers point to the systematic training regime in Ranga Reddy as the underlying reason for the district’s triumph. The Ranga Reddy Sports Council has recently set up a state‑of‑the‑art indoor court at the Ranga Reddy Sports Complex, complete with coaching staff and a nutritionist. The district has also implemented a “Youth Table‑Tennis Academy” in partnership with the Telangana State Table‑Tennis Association (TSTTA), aimed at scouting and training talent from primary school age onward.
“The infrastructure and coaching we have invested in are now paying dividends,” said Dr. A. Rao, the head coach of the Ranga Reddy Academy. “Our emphasis on technique, physical fitness, and mental resilience has given our players a competitive edge.” Dr. Rao’s comments were echoed by Mr. Srinivas, who highlighted that the district’s 2023 sports budget included a 20 % increase in funds for table‑tennis coaching and equipment.
The TSTTA’s official page, linked in the original article, provides further detail on the federation’s initiatives. According to the site, the association has organized over 30 “Table‑Tennis Skill Development Camps” across Telangana in 2023 alone, and the Ranga Reddy district was one of the three recipients of the “Coaching Excellence Award” from the federation.
Future Outlook
The success of the 12th State Championships is seen as a turning point for table‑tennis in Ranga Reddy. The district’s sports council has announced plans to host a “Junior TT Invitational” next year, aimed at giving younger players a platform to showcase their talents and attract sponsorships. The council also plans to introduce a “Mentorship Programme” linking senior players with juniors, fostering skill transfer and confidence building.
In the words of Prakash, “This championship has given us confidence to aim higher. We are looking forward to representing Telangana at the National Championships in Nagpur next month.” The district’s senior men’s team is already training for the upcoming National Championship, and the juniors are gearing up for the forthcoming “Under‑18 International Youth Series” to be held in Bangalore.
Final Takeaway
The 12th State Table‑Tennis Championships highlighted the bright future of Ranga Reddy’s sports ecosystem. The district’s ability to nurture talent, backed by solid infrastructure and a commitment to quality coaching, has paid off in a spectacular haul of medals. The success story has not only raised the profile of table‑tennis within the district but also set a benchmark for other regions in Telangana.
For more in‑depth information on the event and to read the full list of medalists, readers can visit the Telangana State Table‑Tennis Association’s official website (linked in the original article) and the “Hyderabad Sports” page on The Hans India’s portal.
Read the Full The Hans India Article at:
[ https://www.thehansindia.com/sports/hyderabad-ranga-reddy-shine-at-12th-stag-tg-state-tt-cships-1027385 ]