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Tag: Niraj Bajaj

  • IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis launches ‘Time To Turn The Tables Around’ OOH campaign

    IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis launches ‘Time To Turn The Tables Around’ OOH campaign

    Mumbai: IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has teamed up with the official outdoor partner Mera Hoardings for the innovative ‘Time To Turn The Tables Around’ outdoor campaign as it gears up for the upcoming fifth season, to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai from 22 August to 7 September.

    As part of the campaign, striking inverted hoardings, featuring table tennis stars Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Harmeet Desai, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manav Thakkar, are spread across Chennai from today, captivating both locals and visitors. These eye-catching displays showcase the Indian table tennis icons upside-down against the city skyline, delivering a compelling message: It’s time to ‘turn the tables’ and shift the perception of India from being a cricket-centric nation to one that celebrates a vibrant and diverse sporting ecosystem.

    “Our players are making their mark at the Paris Olympics, garnering much-deserved spotlight for the sport with Manika Batra and Sreeja raising their game. To complement their efforts, our OOH campaign aims to package the sport innovatively at the right time to reach a larger audience,” said UTT promoters Vita Dani and Niraj Bajaj.

    This inventive ‘inverted’ OOH campaign not only amplifies the game’s visibility but also highlights UTT’s transformative impact over the past five years. As table tennis has grown from a niche sport to a significant discipline within India’s sporting landscape, the league has been one of its most passionate advocates and prominent contributors.

    Extending their commitment to promoting Indian table tennis, UTT recently caught the attention of the global audience with the help of Mera Hoardings when the league’s promotion was featured on the iconic Times Square billboard in New York.

    The IndianOil UTT 2024 is the biggest edition of the league as, for the first time since its inception in 2017, eight teams will fight for the crown, with Ahmedabad SG Pipers and Jaipur Patriots joining PBG Bengaluru Smashers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers, U Mumba TT, and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis. The league is promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India.

    The league’s last season garnered an astounding 55.2 million views and achieved a reach of 62.1 million across digital platforms. The engagement was equally remarkable, with 1.2 million fan interactions throughout the event. The total media sponsorship value soared to 55.8 crore (6.7 million), underscoring the sport’s growing prominence. Viewership was robust with 195 million minutes watched in just 18 days. The live broadcasts attracted six million viewers, while an additional nine million tuned in through non-live content, reflecting the widespread and enduring interest in table tennis.

    This dynamic and innovative month-long campaign will coincide with the much-anticipated fifth edition of the league which is set to witness high-voltage action with the participation of star Indian paddlers, including Manika Batra, Sharath Kamal, Sreeja Akula, and Sathiyan, alongside some of the world’s top players such as world number 13 Bernadette Szocs and Nigerian legend Quadri Aruna.

  • Ultimate Table Tennis and Viacom18 extend broadcast deal to boost table tennis revolution

    Ultimate Table Tennis and Viacom18 extend broadcast deal to boost table tennis revolution

    Mumbai: Ultimate Table Tennis has partnered with Viacom18 to bring world-class table tennis action from the upcoming season of the league. UTT 2024 is scheduled to be held in Chennai from August 22 to September 7 and will be streamed on JioCinema for free and broadcasted on the Sports18 Network.

    This deal earmarks the second year of partnership between UTT and Viacom18 following a successful collaboration last season. The franchise-based league, which is in its fifth season, will witness 17 days of high-voltage and entertaining action as JioCinema and the Sports18 Network will bring high-octane matches in English and Hindi for table tennis and sports enthusiasts.

    Launched in 2017 and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India, UTT has rapidly become one of the most sought-after global sports properties in table tennis. The league has played a significant role in the growth of Indian table tennis, contributing to India’s historic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    Talking about the association, UTT co-promoters Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, expressed:
    “Our partnership with Viacom18 highlights our mutual dedication to expanding table tennis in India. With their mandate for the Paris 2024, Viacom18 will showcase our top Indian paddlers as they compete on the biggest stage. The transition to UTT 2024 following the Olympics will be seamless. Viacom18’s extensive reach and commitment to sports streaming and broadcasting will ensure that the excitement of UTT 2024 is felt in every corner of the country.”

    The league garnered a combined viewership of more than 33 million over 18 days on JioCinema and the Sports18 Network last season. This year expanding its footprint, UTT will feature eight teams for the first time with the addition of Ahmedabad SG Pipers and Jaipur Patriots. The other six teams participating in this edition are: PBG Bengaluru Smashers, Dabang Delhi TTC, U Mumba TT, Goa Challengers, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis and Chennai Lions.

    UTT adds on to the already diverse sporting portfolio of Viacom18, which is home to world-class sporting events, including the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024, Diamond League, select BWF events, BCCI Cricket, TATA IPL, TATA WPL, SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC) and the NBA among others.

    “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Ultimate Table Tennis. The league has captivated the audience by putting high-quality competition and fine performances by Indian and international star paddlers on the centre stage,” said Viacom18 Sports head of strategy, acquisitions, & partnerships Hursh Shrivastava. “We are particularly delighted to present the best Indian paddlers such as Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula who will be returning from their Olympic rendezvous as they throw their hat in the ring for UTT 2024.”

    A total of 48 premier paddlers, including top Indian players like Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Sreeja Akula alongside 16 global stars such as World No. 9 Bernadette Szocs, World No. 16 Nina Mittelham and Nigeria’s ace player Quadri Aruna, are set to compete in the UTT 2024.

    The player draft will take place in Mumbai on July 10.  

  • Ultimate Table Tennis welcomes SG Sports as Ahmedabad franchise owner

    Ultimate Table Tennis welcomes SG Sports as Ahmedabad franchise owner

    Mumbai: Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has added an eighth franchise to the league’s roster with the announcement of the SG Sports and Entertainment (SGSE) Pvt. Ltd. -owned unit that will represent the vibrant city of Ahmedabad.

    The franchise-based league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), continues to grow as SGSE– a strategic arm of the APL Apollo Group, comes on board after a successful fourth edition in July last year. The team will be known as Ahmedabad SG Pipers.

    “We are delighted to welcome SGSE and the APL Apollo Group to the UTT family. The success of Indian table tennis stars on the international circuit and the popularity of UTT among players and fans has only made the league stronger over the years. UTT is committed to promoting the game of table tennis and this expansion marks an exciting chapter in the league’s growth as it will help us spread the game to a new region,” UTT co-promoters Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani said in a joint comment.

    With multiple Grand Slam champion Mahesh Bhupathi as their CEO, SG Sports and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd focuses on supporting and nurturing sporting talent in the country. The company has already been part of the chess and tennis league, and will now look to contribute to the growth of Indian table tennis with their association with UTT.

    “Ultimate Table Tennis is the premier table tennis competition in the nation and they are able to showcase both homegrown and international talent at the elite level. We at SGSE are excited that we have the opportunity to participate in the growth of the sport. I am sure the presence of our team – Ahmedabad will make the upcoming edition of the league more competitive and entertaining,” said CEO, SGSE Mahesh Bhupathi.

    Ahmedabad SG Pipers will join Jaipur Patriots, who entered the UTT fray in August 2023. The two franchises will make their debuts when the league gets underway for its fifth season later this year. Bengaluru Smashers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis and U Mumba TT are the other six teams in the league.

    Launched in 2017 with an aim to revolutionise table tennis in India, UTT brings the world’s top paddlers to India and offers an unparalleled experience not just for the players but also for the fans. The league has witnessed Indian players registering some of the most significant victories of their careers and carrying their confidence onto the international circuit. The Indian team’s historic qualification at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games is a testament to the growth of the sport in the country. India’s men’s and women’s teams recently qualified for the Olympic Games through the world team rankings for the first time since the event was included at the 2008 Olympics.

  • Ultimate Table Tennis welcomes SG Sports and Entertainment Pvt Ltd as owner of eighth franchise from Ahmedabad

    Ultimate Table Tennis welcomes SG Sports and Entertainment Pvt Ltd as owner of eighth franchise from Ahmedabad

    Mumbai: Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has added an eighth franchise to the league’s roster with the announcement of the SG Sports and Entertainment (SGSE) Pvt. Ltd. -owned unit that will represent the vibrant city of Ahmedabad.

    The franchise-based league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), continues to grow as SGSE– a strategic arm of the APL Apollo Group, comes on board after a successful fourth edition in July last year. The team will be known as Ahmedabad SG Pipers.

    “We are delighted to welcome SGSE and the APL Apollo Group to the UTT family. The success of Indian table tennis stars on the international circuit and the popularity of UTT among players and fans has only made the league stronger over the years. UTT is committed to promoting the game of table tennis and this expansion marks an exciting chapter in the league’s growth as it will help us spread the game to a new region,” UTT co-promoters Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani said in a joint comment.

    With multiple Grand Slam champion Mahesh Bhupathi as their CEO, SG Sports and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, focuses on supporting and nurturing sporting talent in the country. The company has already been part of the chess and tennis league, and will now look to contribute to the growth of Indian table tennis with their association with UTT.

    “Ultimate Table Tennis is the premier table tennis competition in the nation and they are able to showcase both homegrown and international talent at the elite level. We at SGSE are excited that we have the opportunity to participate in the growth of the sport. I am sure the presence of our team – Ahmedabad will make the upcoming edition of the league more competitive and entertaining,” said Bhupathi.

    Ahmedabad SG Pipers will join Jaipur Patriots, who entered the UTT fray in August 2023. The two franchises will make their debuts when the league gets underway for its fifth season later this year. Bengaluru Smashers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis and U Mumba TT are the other six teams in the league.