PANJIM: Sudin Verenkar was unanimously elected as the president of Goa Table Tennis Association (GTTA) at its annual general meeting held, at Bambolim Beach Resort, on Thursday.
The AGM witnessed the unanimous election of a new committee for the term 2024-28. Notable figures from the table tennis fraternity, including the 8-time National champion and secretary general of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) Kamlesh Mehta graced the meet.
Other committee members are General Secretary Christopher Menezes, Treasurer Aishwarya Nunes. Vice Presidents Noel Noronha, Mayur Sawkar, Vikram Verlekar and Edwin Menezes, Joint Secretary Nilesh Kirtani, Members Kabir Pinto Makhija, Damodar Bhatkar, Alvito D’Silva, and Santosh Verenkar and Co-opted Members Narayan alias Ajit Ghantker and Vishnu Kolwalkar.
Mehta, serving as the TTFI Observer and Jayesh Naik acting as the Goa Observer, attended the AGM. Adv Mahendra Raikar was the Returning Officer for the elections. In recognition of his longstanding service, Vero Nunes has been nominated as President Emeritus and Advisor.
Addressing the meeting, outgoing President Vero Nunes commended the association’s achievements during his term, highlighting the successful organisation of international and national tournaments and camps with foreign coaches and other top India coaches such as Kamlesh Mehta.
"Though Goa is a small State, we have achieved extraordinary heights where our players have won not only zonal and national medals but also international medals," he added.
He extended his best wishes to the newly elected President Sudin and the entire committee, expressing a commitment to continued support.
President Sudin outlined his strategic plan for the future, emphasising on the establishment of a state-of-the-art table tennis centre of excellence at Campal, Panjim, within three years. His agenda includes promoting table tennis in rural areas such as Canacona, Valpoi and other places, organising coaching camps in the schools, conducting Taluka-wise tournaments, and introducing a Professional Junior League along the lines of the UTT India League, providing exposure to the best from Goa to play alongside good-quality outstation players. Additionally, he aims to support deserving players through financial schemes.
“The Sports Minister has been very supportive of our activities. The National Games were successfully held under his leadership, and we are confident of getting all the support necessary to elevate table tennis to great heights in the State,” added Sudin.
In his address, Kamlesh lauded Goa’s growth as both a tourist destination and a sporting hub. He stressed the significance of nurturing local coaches to uplift players and expressed confidence in the State’s potential to host national-level events with the full support of the TTFI.