Pune .In a vibrant celebration of friendship, fitness, and fellowship, the Rotary Club of Khadki, Pune in collaboration with Athashri Baner, successfully hosted a special Table Tennis Tournament for senior citizens on Friendship Day at the Community Hall, Baner.
The event was graced by several esteemed guests, including international table tennis champions Mr. AniketKoparkar and his wife Mrs. PoojaSahasrabudhe Koparkar, who inaugurated the tournament, and Brigadier P.S. Jyoti VSM, Commandant BEG Bombay Sappers, who was the Chief Guest for the award ceremony along with his wife, Dr. Rupinder Kaur. Other dignitaries present were President Rtn.Raj Tejwani, Mrs. Sheetal Tejwani, Mrs. Alka Mathur(co-ordinator) , Dr. Vijay Rhayakar, CEO of AHPL, Dr. Sunil Rajadhyaksha(Convenor), PDC IWC Mrs. Mukti Panse (co-ordinator),AGRtn. Kirti Kelkar, AGRtn. Sanket Saraf.
Welcoming the attendees, Rtn. Raj Tejwani shared insights into RCK’s ongoing community projects and emphasized the purpose behind the event:“Age is just a number. This tournament was organized to celebrate life and remind us to enjoy every moment, no matter our age.”
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Aniket Koparkar reflected on the sport’s inclusive spirit, stating:“Table tennis is a wonderful year-round activity. It sharpens the mind, keeps the body active, and encourages social bonding. Today, even global tournaments have 75+ age categories—so why not play with your grandchildren and create lasting memories!”
Chief Guest Brigadier P.S. Jyoti commended the initiative, noting:“This tournament marks a remarkable milestone—the first of its kind in Pune. The enthusiasm and competitive spirit of the senior players were truly inspiring.”
Mrs. Alka Mathur lauded the participants for their skill and spirit, saying:“From top-spin rallies to aggressive returns and defensive play, the quality of table tennis on display was outstanding. The passion these players hold for the game is admirable.”
A total of 51 participants competed in the tournament, including eight players over 80 years old and one remarkable player aged 91. Officiating duties were carried out by Mr. Ravi Kamat, Mr. Vikram Kulkarni, and Mr.Jatin Vedant as umpires, with Mr. Jaysing Wagh serving as the Chief Referee.Tournament
ResultsWomen’s Category• Winner: Rohini Upasani (Aashiana Utsav, Lavasa)• Runner-up: Shubhada Godbole (Athashri, Baner)• Semi-finalists: – Nandini Kanhere (Forest Trails, Bhugaon) – Vasudha Samarth (Athashri, Baner)Men’s 70+ Category• Winner: Vinod Dighe (Athashri, Pashan)• Runner-up: Guru Rajan (Kapil Akhila, Baner)• Semi-finalists: – Pramod Kale (Athashri, Baner) – Sunil Gokarn (Athashri, Baner)Men’s 55–70 Years Category• Winner: Dr. Sunil Rajadhyaksha (Athashri, Baner)• Runner-up: Prasad Godbole (Athashri, Baner)• Semi-finalists: – Nitin Mahajan (Kapil Akhila, Baner) – Ramchandra Deshmukh (Aashiana Utsav, Lavasa)
President of IWC Nigdi, Mrs. Kamaljeet Kaur, sponsored hand towels for all participants.The planning of the entire tournament and match proceedings were smoothly conducted under the able guidance of Dr. Sunil Rajadhyaksha.
PDC Mrs. Mukti Panse concluded the event with a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of all who made the tournament a grand success.
Alka Mathur
