ITTF Foundation welcomes Sharath Kamal as its Ambassador

Yesterday, as we celebrated the Foundation's TT4Health programme at the 2024 Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) in Chennai, India, we were delighted to officially welcome India's table tennis icon, Sharath Kamal Achanta, as our newest Foundation Ambassador! On this special occasion, our Governing Board Members, HRH Princess Zeina Rashid of Jordan and Vita Dani, presented the Foundation Ambassador t-shirt to Kamal. This moment was not just a symbolic gesture but a profound recognition of Kamal’s enduring legacy and a shared commitment between him and the Foundation to drive positive change within the global table tennis community. Alongside fellow Foundation Ambassadors, Galia Dvorak and Ryu Seung-min, Kamal is set to extend his influence beyond his athletic career.

A Table Tennis Legend from India

Sharath Kamal Achanta, born and raised in Chennai, is widely regarded as the face of Indian table tennis. His career, spanning over two decades, is studded with remarkable achievements. Starting from the early 2000s, Kamal has been consistently dominating domestic competitions and setting standards for aspiring players. Being a ten-time National Champion, he also showcased his competitive prowess on the global stage, participating in the Olympic Games five times. In 2006, He made history as the first Indian to win a gold medal in table tennis at the Commonwealth Games, and he has since accumulated multiple medals across several editions. At the age of 42, he remains active on the court and plays a key role for the Chennai Lions in the UTT.

Beyond his on-table achievements, Kamal has been honoured with the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna Award—India’s highest sporting accolades—recognising his outstanding contributions to the country’s table tennis. As a national sport icon, he also represented India as an Olympic flag-bearer alongside P. V. Sindhu at the Paris 2024 Games. On the global level, he serves as the Co-chair of the ITTF Athletes Commission, guiding athletes’ development in the sport globally.

Embracing the New Role with the ITTF Foundation

India holds a significant place in the ITTF Foundation’s mission, with a substantial grassroots involvement in table tennis for development. This year, India led the way in the World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) celebrations, with an outstanding number of 109 registered events. Since the inception of WTTD, five Promoters from India have actively contributed to the initiative's global reach and impact. The Foundation’s connection with India is also evident through the Dream Building Fund projects, where three Indian initiatives have been involved so far.

As Sharath Kamal steps into this ambassadorial role for the Foundation, he embarks on a mission to champion the sport’s role in fostering a more sustainable and inclusive world. His appointment reflects his deep commitment to the sport and his desire to give back to the community. On accepting this new role, Kamal shared:

"It is a great honour to become an Ambassador for the ITTF Foundation. Table tennis has given me so much, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Through this role, I hope to inspire people by using the potential of table tennis to change lives and communities."

As we commence the collaboration with Sharath Kamal, we look forward to advancing our reach and impact with the support of his enduring legacy and ongoing journey in the world of table tennis. Together, we aim to promote the values of sustainability, inclusivity, and empowerment that lie at the center of our mission and vision for a better society.