She is a very well-known figure in Indian sports circles and, as co-owner of Chennaiyin FC and the founder of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), has already done some stellar work in the domain. Not just in elite high-performance sport, as founder of the Elms Foundation, Vita Dani has also done some serious work in furthering physical literacy in India.
With the UTT going well, Vita spoke to Boria Majumdar about the league, football and her vision.
Boria: The UTT seem to be going really well. You should be really pleased?
Vita Dani: Yes, the tournament has gone really really well, but there is more to it than just the league. When I see the potential we have in India and then see our record in the Olympic Games, for example, I feel we need to step up to make a difference and get better. There is no reason why India should win just two gold medals in the Olympics. The story is a little better in the Paralympics, but when we see the potential around, we know that we can do so much better. UTT is a small effort to give our players the exposure they need to be the best prepared. My dream is to see one of these players win India’s first table tennis Olympic medal. That’s when we can all say in unison that the effort is justified.
Boria: Very nicely put, and when I speak to the players, the sense I get is that they are extremely upbeat about the league and how it has helped them with exposure. Playing with international stars, broadcast, the intensity of each match have all been commented upon by the players I have spoken to.
Vita Dani: That is extremely heartening to hear. Ultimate Table Tennis is for the players. It is for India, and for the sport. You want the players to benefit, for without that, the mission is defeated. We are not in this for money. Some things are not about money, and this is one such. We are in it to try and contribute to the sport. And why only us, look at the support we have received from SAI, from the Kotaks, from Ronnie Screwwala, the Dempos, and you will know how each one has come forward in making a difference to sport. That’s what we need. We want corporate India to come forward, for only then can our stars get the facilities they need, the infrastructure they need, the platforms they need to excel and be the best.
Boria: In your case, I have also seen you hands on with football. Visuals of you biting your nails when Chennayin FC plays are common! But jokes apart, ISL has made a serious difference to our football and the recent performances stand evidence.
Vita Dani: There is nothing better than to see all of India united behind the sport of football. ISL, as you rightly said, has made a major difference. See the amounts of money our footballers are now earning. See the way ISL is followed and covered. In my own case, I love to be hands on. There have been occasions when, with permission, I have gone into the change rooms and met the boys. You need to get your hands dirty if you want to make a difference. That’s what I have always believed in and followed. I hope we can all collectively make a difference to Indian sport.
Boria: I have also seen that you are now taking an active interest in para sport. Again, it is something that can make a real difference if properly supported.
Vita Dani: Some time back, I had the opportunity of meeting Bhavina Patel. She had come home and we had a long chat. I was amazed to hear her story, and since then we have been in regular touch. After speaking to her, we have decided to work on para TT as well for we believe there is tremendous potential in the sport and India stands to win multiple medals at the Paralympics if the sport is developed well. That’s what we want to do going forward.
Boria: Finally, if there is one dream that you have for Indian sport, what would that be?
Vita Dani: I go back to what I started with. I see huge potential in India and think, with proper support, we can be a very strong multi-sporting nation in the future. As someone who is deeply invested in sport, I want to play a small part in this journey.
