PUNE: Sportvista Foundation has announced the launch of the “SportVista Monthly Scholarship Scheme”, an initiative aimed at supporting rising table tennis players in the critical age group of 10 to 16 years. The scheme provides both financial aid and professional mentorship to young athletes across India.
Founded by three former international table tennis players and Shiv Chatrapati Awardee Sunil Babras, Aniket Koparkar, and Sujata Babras, the Foundation is committed to nurturing talent with a special focus on those from financially constrained backgrounds.
The SportVista Monthly Scholarship Scheme offers a monthly scholarship of between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 per month for a period of one year, renewable annually. In addition to financial assistance, the program includes mentorship in tournament planning and access to sports science professionals.
They aim to support players between the ages of 10 and 16. To be eligible, a player should be ranked in the Top 8 in India in their age group for the current or upcoming season. However, the focus is more on financial need. Among these talented players, those from low to middle-income families will be given preference for the scholarship.
Player selection is based on national ranking data published by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and on-ground observation by the founders. With their deep involvement in the sport, including frequent attendance at national tournaments, the founders can identify promising talent early. The Foundation also invites direct applications from athletes meeting the criteria.
Sportvista Foundation plans to support at least eight players every year, based on the funds raised through donations. The program is unique because it focuses only on players under 16 and is completely non-commercial. Since none of the founders are involved in coaching for money, the selection process is fair and without any bias.
The Foundation is already supporting two young players. Ankolika Chakraborty, India No. 1 and World Top 20 in U15 Girls, is from Naihati, Kolkata, and raised by a single mother. She will be supported to reach the World Top 5. Sreeosree Chakroborty, India No. 1 in U13 Girls, trains at DDSP Academy in Kolkata. She comes from a middle-income family and will be helped to improve her international ranking and join the India U15 team.