After hosting para table tennis tournaments in the last three years, RC Madras Chenna Patna, RID 3234, has now collaborated with IIT Madras to jointly conduct the National Para Ranking TT Championship for the first time in Tamil Nadu. This is the third edition of the event conducted on a national level for differently-abled paddlers.
Around 220 para athletes including 60 women from across 20 states participated in the two-day event organised at IIT Madras. DG Vinod Saraogi welcomed the participants and said, “Our members from the host club will ensure a hassle-free experience for you all.” A team of Rotary and IIT coordinators took care of boarding, food and logistics. Top facilities with a modern indoor stadium at the Study Activity Centre on the IIT campus, experienced coaches and referees were arranged in tie-up with IIT Madras.
Efforts are on to upgrade the para ranking TT championship into an international level in the next two years, he said. Tracing the evolution of the para TT event, project chair Rajshekhar Raman said that RC Madras Chenna Patna used to conduct table tennis league matches for Rotarians every year. “As we saw great enthusiasm and camaraderie among participants, we thought of doing something inspiring and useful for the differently-abled. The thought, around three years ago, became a spark for us to hold all-India para TT open tournaments.”
In the first year, the para TT meet saw just 36 athletes, the following year it grew to 46, “but word spread quickly about the quality of our event. Hence, last year (2025) our club hosted 156 para players from across the country.” Some of the players travelled for two days by train, overcoming every challenge with “a remarkable spirit and passion which inspired us to take the para TT tournament to the next level,” said Rajshekhar.
After seeing the club’s past record in hosting the tournament, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and the Tamil Nadu TT Association awarded the National Para Ranking TT Championship to RC Madras Chenna Patna.
Step in IIT Madras
When the Rotary club was searching for a suitable venue and a partner, IIT Madras came forward to collaborate with Rotary. “Both our club and the institute shared the same vision of reaching out to the para players. It is heartening to see the enthusiasm and support from IIT-M director V Kamakoti, and other deans involved in planning, student affairs, and professors in organising the para TT championship,” explained Rajshekhar.
During the two-day tournament, IIT research scholars will study the movements of para players through AI and motion analysis by installing CCTVs which will enable them to develop assistive tech platforms that can enhance the performance, capability of special athletes and their training modules.
Niggling woes
A regular at the para TT tournaments for the last five years, Bhavika Kukadiya (30), from Surat was competing in one of the standing categories at the event. She complimented the food, accommodation and travel arrangements provided at the event. Bhavika has won over 25 national and international medals, and is employed in a pharma firm.
Her friend, Prachi Pandey from Unnao district, UP, a wheelchair-bound paddler, said, “the travel from the hostel to the venue was difficult for us. Much can be improved in terms of logistics for wheelchair-bound players.” Prachi has won 37 national and international medals in para TT. “The organisers should consider the mobility issues faced by para athletes, and set right these problems in the next edition,” Bhavika added.
Highest prize money
For the first time, “the winners of the national para TT event will get the highest prize money, thanks to the generosity from the IIT Madras Alumni Charitable Trust,” said Sanjay Madhavan, chief organiser from RC Madras. Each of the seven chosen players — among the 17 winners — got a motorised wheelchair (₹75,000 each), one of which was donated by Thrive Mobility, an incubator project.
All the 17 winners got a trophy, certificate and a cash prize of ₹5,000 each; 17 runners-up received a cash prize of ₹3,000 each, along with a trophy and certificate; and 34 special prizes of ₹1,500 each were also distributed.
For the nine standing winners (other than wheelchair-bound), the club gave a cash prize of ₹10,000 each; while the World of Table Tennis store owned by veteran paddler Sharad Kamal presented a gift voucher of ₹2,000 each to these standing winners. “At least six winners of this para TT event would be given a three-day coaching by Kamal at the High Performance Centre set up with the help of the state government,” said Madhavan.
Speaking to Rotary News, RC Madras Chenna Patna president Antony Kumar said, “DEI principles are close to our heart as we reach out to the differently-abled through many initiatives. Our 10-year-old microloans project has empowered 80 beneficiaries, mostly physically-challenged and LGBTQ community, with interest-free credit ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. Our small loans have helped them own a small business or kirana shop for self-employment.”
The 33-year-old club with 40 members is known for breast cancer detection and healthcare camps, apart from educational projects for less privileged children.