New Delhi, September 13: The confirmation of participation by 22 nations, after the withdrawal by the UAE, in the upcoming ITTF-ATTU 28th Asian Table Tennis Championships, scheduled to begin on October 11 at the state-of-the-art Athletic Centre of the Kalinga Stadium, signals a landmark moment for Odisha. It is the first time the state will play host to a continental table tennis championship, underscoring its growing reputation as India’s sporting hub.

For the Odisha State Table Tennis Association (OSTTA), the stakes are high. With less than a month to go, preparations are in full swing. Backed by the state government’s unwavering support and a dedicated team of senior officials, the organisers are getting ready to welcome more than 500 participants, including 450 players and support staff, as well as 70–80 top Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) officials. Bhubaneswar is set to witness a five-day carnival of high-octane action—one that will feature the very best paddlers Asia has to offer.

The magnitude of this edition cannot be overstated. The championships return to India after 16 long years, and with Asia being the powerhouse of world table tennis, the competition promises to be of the highest calibre.

World-beaters China, Japan, and Korea—nations that dominate the sport globally—will arrive with formidable 10-member squads (men/women) and even larger contingents of support staff, underlining their seriousness of the event as a preparatory ground for the 2026 World Team Championships in London.

For other nations across Central, South-East, and West Asia, Bhubaneswar presents an invaluable opportunity. With 12 slots open in each section, teams beyond the top three will be battling fiercely for qualification, adding further intensity to the tournament.

From an Indian perspective, the championships carry an added layer of anticipation. Both the men’s and women’s teams sealed qualification to the London Worlds through the South Asia Regional route last month, but this continental championship will test their mettle against the very best. Indian paddlers are leaving no stone unturned, as some are fine-tuning their form in the ongoing National Ranking Championships in New Delhi, while others are honing their skills on the international circuit through WTT events abroad.

The home advantage could prove vital. Bhubaneswar, known for its passionate sporting culture, is expected to pack the stands with energetic crowds. Their vocal support might be just the edge the Indians need to upset higher-ranked opponents. For Odisha, it’s not only about hosting another major event after hockey and athletics—it’s about carving out a new legacy in table tennis and showcasing its readiness to be the epicentre of global sport.

Adding to the significance of the event, the Executive Board Meeting of the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) will be held on October 13, during the championships. This high-level meeting, which brings together key decision-makers from across the continent, is expected to deliberate on the future of the sport in Asia, review development programmes, and take strategic calls on international engagements.

Hosting this crucial meeting alongside the championships elevates Bhubaneswar’s profile, reinforcing its role not only as a venue for world-class competition but also as a centre for shaping the future direction of Asian table tennis.

Odisha's sporting rise: From temples to table tennis

New Delhi, September 7: For long celebrated as the land of art, culture, and temples, Odisha has now emerged as the sporting hub of India. Over the past decade, the state has invested heavily in infrastructure, pioneered a unique public-private model for athlete development, and consistently hosted international sporting events. This transformation—driven by the Odisha government’s sustained commitment—has reshaped the narrative of Indian sport and placed Bhubaneswar and Rourkela firmly on the global sporting map.

The latest milestone this October would be when Bhubaneswar hosts the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis (Teams) Championships (ATTC) 2025 at the Kalinga Stadium from October 11 to 15. It will be the first time Odisha stages an Asian-level table tennis event, reaffirming its role as a host for diverse disciplines beyond its established successes in hockey and athletics. The honour follows its successful organisation of the 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Cuttack.

Odisha’s journey as a sporting powerhouse began in 2017, when the state stepped in to host the Asian Athletics Championships within just 90 days after Ranchi pulled out. The seamless execution of that event at Kalinga Stadium earned nationwide acclaim and laid the foundation for what is now widely known as the “Odisha Model.”

At its core, this model rests on two pillars: world-class infrastructure and sustainable partnerships. The state has transformed the Kalinga Sports Complex and built the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela—the world’s largest fully seated hockey venue. Complementing these is the Indoor Athletics Centre at the Kalinga Stadium, South Asia’s largest indoor facility of its kind. With a 200-meter synthetic track, an 80m+20m running track, specialised zones for long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and shot-put, and a seating capacity of 1,700, the centre meets rigorous international standards and carries a coveted Category 1 certification from World Athletics. Such facilities ensure that Odisha not only stages major events but also nurtures athletes in an environment aligned with global benchmarks.

Alongside infrastructure, Odisha has established High-Performance Centres (HPCs) in collaboration with leading corporates and sporting icons. Reliance Foundation for athletics, the Naval Tata Hockey Academy, Abhinav Bindra’s sports science centre, Pullela Gopichand for badminton and similar facilities for shooting, swimming, and football, to name a few HPCs.

Odisha also took the unprecedented step of sponsoring India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams—a commitment now extended till 2033. This not only reinforced its status as the “home of Indian hockey” but also showcased its ambition to be a driving force in Indian sport.

The scale of investment is unmatched. In 2024–25, the state allocated ₹1,315 crore to sports and youth services—among the highest in the country. The rationale is loud and clear: sports are both a matter of state pride and a tool for youth empowerment. Hosting marquee tournaments has brought Odisha global visibility, while grassroots programmes have created opportunities for young athletes.

Every international event has left a legacy. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup upgraded training facilities in Bhubaneswar. Multiple hockey World Cups brought umpiring and coaching courses certified by the FIH. At the grassroots, Sundargarh—the cradle of Indian hockey—now boasts 17 synthetic turfs, strengthening the pipeline that continues to produce stars like Amit Rohidas. Similarly, athletes from the Reliance Foundation HPC in Odisha have consistently returned medals at the Khelo India University Games and other national competitions.

The impact is visible. Odisha is no longer just a stage for sports—it is shaping athletes, creating infrastructure, and driving India’s sporting ambitions. As Bhubaneswar prepares to welcome Asia’s finest paddlers for the ATTC 2025, the state once again signals that its sporting story is far from complete—it is only gaining momentum.