By Sports Correspondent | Tripura 24.in
AGARTALA | May 17, 2026
AGARTALA: Putting Tripura firmly on the international junior sports map, the prestigious TTA-Asian 16 & Under Ranking Junior Tennis Tournament officially kicked off its qualifying legs this weekend. Jointly organized by the All India Tennis Association (AITA), the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), and the Tripura Tennis Association (TTA), the high-profile tournament is being hosted across two premier venues in the capital: the State Tennis Complex at Malancha Niwas and the Dasarath Deb State Sports Complex (DDSSC) from May 16 to May 23, 2026.
The official grand Inauguration Ceremony is scheduled to take place today, Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM sharp at the Malancha Niwas complex. Dr. P.K. Chakraborty (IAS), Special Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Tripura, has consented to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, alongside TTA Secretary Shri Sujit Roy and other notable sports personalities.
Qualifying Rounds: Eight Prodigies Smash into Main Draw
The competitive action commenced on Saturday, May 16, with the highly intense Boys Singles Under-16 Qualifying Matches. Budding tennis stars from across the country battled for the limited vacant slots in the elite pool.
Following a grueling day on the hard courts, eight players successfully booked their berths in the Main Draw:
- Paranjay Kutwal
- Aditya Kamat
- Rudra Patwardhan
- Dhanvin Venkateshkumar
- Aman Mimani
- Srinikesh Pindiprolu
- Hemang Barna
- Angsla Debbarma (Local Tripura favorite)
The inclusion of Tripura’s very own Angsla Debbarma into the main draw has sent a wave of excitement through the local sports community, who turned out in good numbers to cheer the home talent.
Top Seeds Announced for Main Draw Battle
With the qualifiers concluded, the tournament organizers have released the official seeding list for the main draw matches.
Tournament Favorites:
- Boys Category Top Seed: Sankalp Kumar Sahani (West Bengal)
- Girls Category Top Seed: Niesha Enja (Telangana)
Both top seeds enter the tournament with impressive national rankings and are expected to face stiff resistance from a highly competitive grid representing various Indian states.
“A Launchpad for Regional Talent”: TTA Secretary Sujit Roy
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, Tripura Tennis Association Secretary Sujit Roy highlighted the significance of hosting an Asian Tennis Federation-approved event in Agartala.
”Bringing an ATF-ranking event to Agartala provides our local players with invaluable exposure to international tournament structures without leaving their home turf. Our facilities at Malancha Niwas and DDSSC are in top-tier condition. We are grateful to the Sports Department and Dr. P.K. Chakraborty for their constant administrative backing in making this grand event a reality,” Shri Sujit Roy stated.
Schedule Ahead
While the ceremonial inauguration happens this evening, the high-stakes Main Draw matches will officially commence on Monday, May 18, 2026. The tournament will progress through singles and doubles knockout stages over the week, culminating in the grand finales on May 23. Entry for sports enthusiasts and school students has been kept free to encourage a vibrant atmosphere at the courts.
