By Kirti Patil
Pune: Star table tennis player and Commonwealth Games Women’s team gold medallist Manika Batra, is upbeat to represent Bengaluru Smashers and hopes to receive support from Pune’s Table Tennis fans as her team got ready for their season opener following the launch of team jersey for the IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis Season 4 debut*
*Kirill Gerassimenko to lead Bengaluru Smashers*
As Bengaluru Smashers prepare to mark their entry into Indian Oil Ultimate Table Tennis Season 4 the franchisee launched their jersey in a glitzy event in Pune on Thursday after the coach Sachin Shetty named Kazakh Olympian Kirill Rerassimenko as captain of the team.
Team owner Punit Balan was at the forefront of the unveiling in the presence of the entire Smashers squad led byer Manika Batra and coaches Sachin Shetty (India) and Vesna Ojstersek (Slovenia).
Speaking after the jersey launch and welcoming the entire squad in Pune, Punit Balan, the Chairman and Managing Director of Punit Balan Group (PBG)said, “Being part of the league gave us the opportunity to support table tennis and hope our support would help to take the sport to the next level.
“Our vision has always been to back Indian sports and players, contribute in ways to their journey to the podium and have a role in realising the dreams of players, winning Olympic and other medals for India. With Indian Oil UTT and Bengaluru Smashers, hopefully we can inspire and motivate more sports enthusiasts to take up TT not only in Bengaluru but across the region. Bengaluru Smashers is a team to reckon with, and I am sure they will do well in the tournament,” Mr. Balan added.
Manika looks at UTT as perfect platform for Asian Games Preparations
“] This is an important tournament not only for Bengaluru Smashers, but for all of us too. Playing ahead of the Asian Games, Indian Oil Ultimate Table Tennis Season 4 will be the perfect preparation platform too and I am looking forward to this upcoming fortnight of complete action and giving my best for Bengaluru Smashers,” Manika, the world No 35 said.
Bengaluru Smashers coach, Sachin Shetty also added, “Team is looking good and fresh. The players are eager to play well together. The players, coaches and support staff have bonded well though we just met. We as a team will go out there and try to win every match we play. The team will give their best as we start the campaign.”
