Ahmedabad, Apr 3 (UNI) Dronacharya Awardee Raman Subramanian, along with German specialist Chris Pfeiffer, veteran trainers Pavel Rehorek and Julien Girard, and former India No. 1 Jubin Kumar, are set to make their debut as coaches in Season 6 of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league.
This edition marks a historic first, as franchises have been granted the liberty to independently select their coaching staff.
Joining them are returning coaches Elena Timina, Parag Agrawal, Subhajit Saha, Soumyadeep Roy, and Sachin Shetty, all aiming to secure their second UTT title.
The league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India, will take place at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad from May 29 to June 15, marking the venue's debut as a UTT host.
Subramanian, who led India's table tennis contingent at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will spearhead Season 2 champions Dabang Delhi TTC alongside debutant Julien Girard. Pfeiffer, who has played a crucial role in Indian table tennis since 2022, will coach Ahmedabad SG Pipers, while Rehorek, boasting over three decades of coaching experience, will guide Jaipur Patriots. Kumar, making his UTT coaching debut, will take charge of Kolkata ThunderBlades.
Meanwhile, experienced tacticians Timina, Shetty, and Vesna Ojstersek return for their sixth consecutive season, ensuring continuity and experience in the coaching ranks.
Speaking on the revamped coaching structure, the UTT co-promoters stated: "This season brings a dynamic mix of fresh and experienced coaching talent, elevating the league’s competitive standard. The ability for teams to handpick their own coaching staff enables a more strategic and customised approach, ensuring players receive worldclass guidance tailored to their strengths."
Defending champions Goa Challengers have reinstated their Season 4-winning duo, Timina and Agrawal, as they chase a record third consecutive title. U Mumba TT have retained John Murphy and Jay Modak, while Ojstersek joins Subhajit Saha at PBG Pune Jaguars.
Debutants Kolkata ThunderBlades have appointed Swedish coach Tobias Bergman to work alongside Kumar, while former champions Chennai Lions have selected Soumyadeep Roy and German trainer Jorg Bitzigeio. Jaipur Patriots have entrusted their squad to Shetty and Rehorek, while Ahmedabad SG Pipers will rely on the expertise of Somnath Ghosh and Pfeiffer.
With the league's latest innovations and fresh coaching talent, Season 6 of UTT promises high-octane action and strategic brilliance as teams vie for supremacy.
Teams and Coaches for UTT Season 6:
Ahmedabad SG Pipers – Somnath Ghosh, Chris Pfeiffer (Germany); Jaipur Patriots – Sachin Shetty, Pavel Rehorek (Czech Republic); PBG Pune Jaguars – Subhajit Saha, Vesna Ojstersek (Slovenia); Goa Challengers – Parag Agrawal, Elena Timina (Netherlands)
Dabang Delhi TTC – Raman Subramanian, Julien Girard (France); U Mumba TT - Jay Modak, John Murphy (Ireland); Kolkata ThunderBlades – Jubin Kumar, Tobias Bergman (Sweden); Chennai Lions – Soumyadeep Roy, Jorg Bitzigeio (Germany)
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