New Delhi: Young Indian paddler Sreeja Akula has been ruled out of the fifth season of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) starting on August 22. The 26-year-old suffered a stress fracture and was advised to take rest after a hectic season in the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024.
Akula, who achieved her highest career ranking of World No.22 after hey r valiant efforts shown in the Summer Games, was set to play for Jaipur Patriots – one of the two new entrants in the tournament. However, the Telangana-based paddler won’t be available for the franchise in their inaugural season with professional experts asking her to rest for at least six weeks.
“I am sorry to share that I have been diagnosed with a stress fracture and on my doctor’s advice, I will need to rest for six weeks, which unfortunately means (that) I will not be able to participate in the UTT,” Sreeja was quoted in a release by the tournament organisers.
Sreeja was part of Dabang Delhi TTC in the last season before she was roped in for the Patriots as their Indian face in the 8-team-extended tournament.
Tamil Nadu’s Nithyashree Mani, who bagged the 2022 U-19 Girls’ singles event, has been named as replacement for Sreeja in Jaipur Patriots’ six-member player squad.
South Korea’s World No.89 Cho Seungmin (men’s singles) and Thailand’s World No.53 Suthasini Sawettabut (women’s singles) are the two overseas signings made by the Patriots. Hyderabad-based S Fidel R Snehit, the former youth national champion, will be the Indian face for the francshie. Ronit Bhanja and Moumita Dutta complete their squad.
UTT season 5 in Chennai
The Ultimate Table Tennis for the very first time has moved to the Southern part of India with the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai set to host all the matches from August 22 to September 7. Goa Challengers are the defending champions while Ahmedabad SG Pipers and Jaipur Patriots will mark their debut in India’s franchise-based table tennis tournament.
Sreeja Akula, who achieved her highest career ranking of World No.22 after hey r valiant efforts shown in the Summer Games, was set to play for Jaipur Patriots – one of the two new entrants in the tournament. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
