Gandhinagar: Gujarat’s Table Tennis ecosystem is undergoing a quiet yet powerful revolution with a help of Shaktidoot Yojana, an initiative launched by the Government of Gujarat in 2006. Designed to nurture and elevate the next generation of sporting talent, the scheme has been instrumental in propelling the state’s athletes onto the national and international stage.

Among the few examples of its success are paddlers Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, and Manush Shah, who have represented India at the world’s most prestigious sporting events, including the 2024 Paris Olympics and secured key victories at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, and global tournaments.

Harmeet Desai, an Arjuna Awardee and current World No. 72, has been part of the Shaktidoot programme since 2007. He clinched gold and bronze medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and contributed to India’s team bronze at the Asian Games and Asian Team Championships. Manav Thakkar, currently World No. 48, was the top-ranked U21 player in the world in 2020 and continues to set benchmarks with titles at the Commonwealth Championships and international doubles events. Manush Shah, who joined the programme in 2014-15, recently won mixed doubles gold at the 2025 WTT Condenser in Tunisia and was crowned National Champion earlier this year.

All three were pivotal in India’s bronze-medal-winning performances at the 2023 and 2024 Asian Team Championships in South Korea and Kazakhstan respectively, reinforcing Gujarat’s growing footprint in the sport. In fact, both Harmeet and Manav were part of the Indian squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics, an unprecedented feat for the state.

As a ripple effect, the state’s grassroots TT landscape has seen a surge in participation. Tournaments organised by the Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA) have seen consistent growth in entries, rising from 571 (In 6 Tournaments) in 2016–17 to over 660 (In 3 Tournaments) in the current season.

Speaking on this remarkable transformation, Gujarat Sports Minister, Harsh Sanghavi said, “The Shaktidoot Scheme has been a game-changer for grassroots sports in Gujarat. It was the vision of our Prime Minister to motivate grassroot players with financial assistance. It has provided our young talents in table tennis with structured support — from coaching to exposure — enabling them to shine nationally and internationally. Success of Harmeet, Manav and Manush has impacted immensely as there the game has seen rise in entries and participation at the state level competitions in last one decade. It is a testament to the success of the initiative which started in 2006.”

Sports Secretary, Government of Gujarat, Ashwani Kumar (IAS), added “Under Prime Minister Modi’s vision, schemes like Shaktidoot are nurturing champions in lesser-highlighted sports like table tennis. With targeted mentoring and infrastructure under the Shaktidoot scheme, table tennis in Gujarat has witnessed transformation. We have supported many Table Tennis players who have broken into national rankings. We are proud that Gujarat is setting an example in inclusive sports development.”

Hari Pillai, Secretary, Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA), said, “Harmeet, Manav and Manush were part of bronze medal winning team at the prestigious Asian Table Tennis Championships in 2023 and 2024. Moreover, Harmeet and Manush were part of three-member team at the Paris Olympics which is a very significant achievement for Gujarat. Such feats do encourage aspiring players. I am sure the seeds are sown and in future we are going to get more international players from Gujarat. We are grateful to the state government for financially supporting our players to achieve big.”

Harmeet Desai, Arjuna Award winner and Olympian, said, “Dedication, determination, and diligence are essential steps toward success for any player. But without financial support, even the most talented athlete may struggle to progress. Exposure and proper training facilities are crucial. For me, the Shaktidoot Scheme has been truly instrumental — it’s because of the consistent support from the Sports Authority of Gujarat that I’ve been able to play continuously over the years.”

With players consistently breaking into global rankings and a rise in grassroots participation, Gujarat’s Shaktidoot Scheme stands as a benchmark in athlete development. As more champions emerge from the state, Gujarat is quickly becoming a powerhouse in Indian table tennis — and Shaktidoot is leading the charge.