HOSHANG KATRAK
By PG Captain & Manager

 

The balance of power in Table Tennis has truly shifted. At the Mumbai City District TT tournament, which concluded at the NSCI, on 31^st May, 2023, Parsee Gymkhana won both – Men’s and Women’s titles in the premier division, for the fourth year in a row! With former international and Commonwealth player, Siddhesh Pande in its ranks, the PG team – which also boasted of Zubin Taraporewalla and Parthav Kelkar – was the cynosure of all eyes, even before the tournament began!

The First Division commenced on 29^th May, with PG playing its inaugural match against CCI, which the former won without dropping a set. But, it was the MLWB-KKB ‘B’ team on the first day, which gave PG the shivers – after Parthav Kelkar lost to Parth Magar in 5 well-fought games, Zubin quickly found himself 1-2 down against Shlok Janawalekar. Zubin, however, recovered to equalise and then beat Shlok in a gruelling decider at 12-10. Mayuresh then got the better of Aryaman Bhatia to go 2-1 up. Zubin then made short work of Parth to win the tie for PG. There were no such hiccups though in the next two fixtures against Garware Clubhouse and Worli Sports Club.

Since the First Division is played on league basis, the best two teams, which usually remain unbeaten, clash on the last day to make it virtually a final. In the first, Siddhesh Pande beat Tanmay Rane. In the next crucial match, Parthav Kelkar came up against Arnav Karnawar, MLWB ‘A’s best player. In 5 hard fought games, Parthav got the better of Arnav. In the last match, young Sharvaya Samant played well but Zubin proved several shades better.

PG thus made it four in a row! With only three teams in the Women’s first division, Frenaz Chipia’s absence (she was participating in Gujarat State tournament) was made good by Manasi Chiplunkar and former India No.3 – Senhora D’Souza, who steamrolled past PJ Hindu Gymkhana and Garware Clubhouse teams, without dropping a set.

The playing facilities at NSCI have always been excellent. Parsee Gymkhana, which has been placed in the First Division since they started playing Interclub in 2016, owes its success largely to the support and encouragement of its Managing Committee, especially President Mehli Golvala.