Indore: Last minute pullouts, some owing to visa problems, may have dampened the spirit of the organizers of ITTF 2016 India Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis Championships, beginning at the Abhay Prashal here from tomorrow. But the impregnable size of the Indian contingent—48 players competing in four categories—has made the event more of an Indian show.

With five teams in fray—Bhutan, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Indonesia and hosts India—the contest for 10 gold medals on offer seems limited to India and Taipei. Iran, with up-and-coming players in their ranks, could be the dark horse to challenge the other two teams touted to win a bagful of medals.

The Indian squads have been divided into six groups (A to F) in the junior section and into five (A to E) in the Cadet category, limiting the fight between India and Taipei alone in the latter. It is even reflected in team seeding, as Indians take the pride of place in the Junior Boys and Girls with Taipei following them while it is the opposite in the Cadet section.

Though the field is vastly left open to three mail teams, this ITTF Junior Circuit event always provides opportunities to the Indian participants, considered the future of India. With fresh schemes unveiled by the government under Mission Olympic Cell the players get their chance to showcase their skills and abilities and also get a look in by the Table Tennis Federation of India which is trying to build solid supply line for the future.

India Open also can gives the break for the youngsters to complete at a different level and help handle pressure in the face of stiff competitions as they look to prepare for the future. Over and above, the pride and feeling of wearing India colours gives could make some of them better players that what they are today as the habit tends to stick with them for a long time to come.

The Madhya Pradesh Table Tennis Association (MPTTA), the organizers, was optimistic about the sweep of medals—10 gold medals on offer here—in team events of Junior and Cadet Boys and Girls as well as in singles apart from the two doubles (Junior Boys and Junior Girls) finals. “We are thrilled to host the championships at our premises in a good environment. Players enjoy coming here because of the comfort level, in terms of accommodation and playing conditions,” said Jayesh Acharya, tournament director and also the secretary of MPTTA.

Undoubtedly, the absence the biggies from the region is a concern for both the organizers as well as the TTFI. And its secretary-general Dhanraj Choudhary understands the implications when he said: “No doubt, it is a worrying factor for all of us but I am looking at the opportunity presented to Indian players, particularly those on the fringe. Appearing in India colours and getting early exposures like these will do a world of good to them as we are looking to build a strong bench. But I would like to see strong teams competing in the future.”

STAG synthetic flooring, tables and Butterfly plastic balls will be used during the five-day event with the team finals scheduled on the second day. The last three days will singles and doubles event when the competition will become stiffer.

The competition manager from Australia will have the services of referee C.L. Thade with other deputy and assistant referees along with Blue Badge umpires to man the event.

The Groupings:

Junior Boys: Group A: India B, Indonesia-Bhutan, India E; Group B: Chinese Taipei, India C, India F; Group C: India A, Iran, India D, Bhutan.

Junior Girls: Group A: India A, Chinese Taipei-A, India E, India F; Group B: India C, India D, India B, Chinese Taipei-B.

Cadet Boys: Group A: Chinese Taipei, India C, India E; Group B: India A, India B, India D.

Cadet Girls: Group A: Chinese Taipei-B, India B, India E; Group B: Chinese Taipei-A, India-A, India C, India D.