PUNE: The first anniversary of Pune-based SportsVista Foundation, established to provide financial assistance to needy and promising emerging table tennis players aged 10 to 16, was recently celebrated.

About a year ago, the SportsVista Monthly Scholarship Scheme was launched by awarding scholarships to two table tennis players from Kolkata — Ankolika Chakraborty and Sreosree Chakraborty. Within just one year, the number of scholarship recipients has increased to six players.

The new additions include M. Siddhant from Bengaluru, Titash Chatterjee from Kolkata, Rajvardhan Tiwari from Barshi in Solapur district, and Ariv Dutta from Kolkata. The anniversary event was recently held at Deccan Gymkhana.

Among those present at the event were Aniket Koparkar, Sujata, and Sunil Babras, Assistant Secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India, Yatin Tipnis, and the supporters of the SportsVista Monthly Scholarship Scheme, including Rajendra Tapadia, Jai Shankar, Sameer Mali, Ashutosh Agashe, Malhar Patekar, Viraj Mulye, along with all scholarship-winning players and their coaches.

SportsVista Foundation was established by Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner, former international table tennis player and national coach Sunil Babras; former international table tennis player and member of the national table tennis team selection committee, and Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee Aniket Koparkar; and Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner and former international table tennis player Sujata Babras, to support needy and emerging table tennis players.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Babras said, “Under the scheme, financial assistance ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month is provided for one to two years. Along with this, guidance and mentorship necessary for improving performance is also offered. Our primary focus is on helping players in the 10 to 16 age group, especially those who do not receive financial support from any source other than their parents.”

At the very beginning of the initiative, Ankolika Chakraborty joined the SportsVista Monthly Scholarship Scheme, and within one year, she jumped from 25th to 6th place in the international rankings in the Under 15 girls category. Aniket Koparkar informed that all scholarship recipients are currently ranked among the top five players in their respective categories at the national level.

In the national rankings, Ankolika Chakraborty holds the top position in the Under-15 girls category. Ariv Dutta is ranked first in the Under-13 boys category, Titash Chatterjee is ranked second in the Under-13 girls category, Rajvardhan Tiwari is ranked second in the Under-11 boys category, M. Siddhant is ranked third in the Under-13 boys category, while Sreosree Chakraborty is ranked fifth in the Under-13 girls category.

Sujata Babras said that the foundation aims to increase the number of scholarship recipients from the current six to twelve within the next year. Apart from the monthly scholarship scheme, with the support of Atul Bapat of Apex Sports, they will also provide free sports equipment to 24 needy players.

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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.

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