Mercantile Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka: 65 Years on-By Eric Motha Source:Island Founder member and former president of Mercantile Table Tennis Association The Inter Club Championships of the Mercantile Table Tennis Association (MTTA) were successfully conducted in September as a prelude to the Open Championships scheduled for November 2022. The MTTA has grown in stature and popularity over the passage of time with an array of dedicated officials totally committed to continuing the saga that commenced in the mid 50’s with delegates from the Mercantile Sector and Commercial Banks. It behoves us to recall and remember Messrs. Robin L Rutnam, M. Balaji, AK Nesaratnam, NM Udeshi, Charlie Daniel, Noshir Lakdawalla, C. Paramananthan who guided the destinies of the Association during the formative years. The baton was then handed over to charismatic Chandrakant Mohanlal Vasa whose contribution was unique in many aspects. He will always be remembered with respect and ...

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Sri Lanka table tennis marks 75th anniversary Championships-BY ERIC MOTHA Source:Sundayobserver Pesi Pestonjee chronicled an article captioned “50 years of TT” in 1996 and rightly referred to himself as probably the last of the old brigade which has slid into history. The former national Champion and administrator is no more and the mantle of penning this brief article has been referred to me. Table Tennis in Ceylon started in the 1930s when the YMCA was the cradle where the sport made its debut and the winner of the YMCA Championship was crowned as the Ceylon Champion. F. Rustomjee was the first to annex the Championship. ...

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Lalith plans to lift fitness of ladies through TT- by a Special Sports Correspondent Lalith Priyantha briefing the media about the upcoming table tennis programme he plans to have for ladies Source:Island Former national singles champion, sports administrator and coach Lalith Priyantha plans to commence a table tennis programme to raise the fitness level of females in the country. Speaking to journalists at a press conference held at Otter Aquatic Club a few days ago Lalith said that his prime goal would be to make past table tennis stars return to the game. He is perhaps one of the few sports coaches who can still spar with the present generation of players; hence his eagerness to promote the message of being fit and healthy. ...

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“You can’t take a break for education”-Lalith Priyantha Source:Island A table tennis legend speaks by A Special Sports Correspondent Table tennis was one of worst affected sports due to the pandemic. One reason for this could be that most players are also engaged in some kind of coaching; hence there being a loss in income. Table tennis legend and veteran’s player Lalith Priyantha was one such player. He said that he survived a difficult period. We can’t sometimes fathom as to how Priyantha stays in shape and contests the veterans’ events. Times were hard during the past one year without coaching and Priyantha looks back and can send a sigh of relief. ...

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