Panaji, Goa: Goa is once again preparing to host one of India’s biggest sporting spectacles as Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 powered by ChatGPT gets underway on July 9 at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.
The opening fixture promises fireworks as home favourites Dempo Goa Challengers, two-time league champions, take on defending champions U Mumba TT in a blockbuster western derby. The tournament will run until July 26, featuring seven franchises battling for the prestigious title.
Home Team Eyes Third Championship
The Dempo Goa Challengers will be banking on Romanian star Bernadette Szocs, the reigning league MVP, who joins the Goan franchise after helping U Mumba TT win the title last season.
Expressing her excitement, Szocs said she was delighted to return to UTT and looked forward to helping Dempo Goa Challengers lift a third championship.
Perfect Preparation for the Asian Games
This year’s tournament carries added significance as it concludes just before India’s table tennis contingent departs for the Asian Games in Japan.
Indian paddler Diya Chitale described UTT as the perfect platform to experience pressure situations that help prepare athletes for major international tournaments.
Meanwhile, World No. 3 men’s doubles player Manush Shah begins his U Mumba journey aiming to defend the title, while his regular doubles partner Manav Thakkar, representing UP Prometheans, is eager to continue building momentum ahead of the Asian Games.
International Stars Light Up Goa
Season 7 will feature 42 players from across the globe, including 14 Olympians, making it one of the strongest editions of the league.
Among the biggest attractions are:
- Bernadette Szocs (Romania)
- Sofia Polcanova (Austria)
- Omar Assar (Egypt)
- Anna Hursey (Wales)
- Prithika Pavade (France)
- Ricardo Walther (Germany)
The league continues to provide Indian players with invaluable exposure against world-class competition.
Technology Meets Table Tennis
Butterfly UTT Season 7 will also introduce the AI-powered Table Tennis Review (TTR) system, making it one of the few table tennis leagues globally to implement video review technology.
Developed by Gurugram-based Stupa Sports, the system will review disputed decisions in under 20 seconds, enhancing transparency and accuracy during matches.
Live Broadcast
Fans can catch every match live on:
- Star Sports Khel (Hindi)
- Star Sports Tamil 2 HD
- Star Sports Tamil 3 HD
- JioHotstar (English, Hindi & Tamil)
With elite international stars, India’s finest paddlers, cutting-edge technology and passionate home support, Goa is all set to witness another unforgettable edition of Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis.
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