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(Butterfly Global)
On April 6, 2026, Vita Dani, Co-Promoter of Ultimate Table Tennis, visited Butterfly’s headquarters in Tokyo to sign a five-year title sponsorship agreement. Starting from Season 7 in Goa, the league will be officially known as “Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis.” As part of the visit, Vita Dani and Takako Osawa CEO of Tamasu Co., Ltd. (Butterfly) and sat down for an in-depth conversation, sharing their perspectives on the growth of table tennis in India, the unique value of UTT, and their vision for the future.
Growing the Vision of UTT
Takako Osawa:
First of all, could you share your vision for UTT and how it has evolved over the years?
Vita Dani:
Our vision has always been quite simple: to grow the sport of table tennis and make it something that more people around the world can watch and enjoy. India, in particular, has tremendous potential. With its large population and rapid development, we strongly believe that this vision is not only achievable, but is already beginning to take shape.
What Makes UTT Unique
Takako Osawa:
What do you think makes UTT unique compared to other table tennis leagues around the world?
Vita Dani:
One of the defining features of UTT is our commitment to equality. We place equal importance on men’s and women’s competitions, both in terms of participation and value, which is something we are very proud of. Another distinctive aspect is the inclusion of mixed doubles, which adds a unique dynamic to the league.
At the same time, we continue to learn from leagues around the world, striving to create an environment that is engaging for both players and fans.
The Rise and Potential of Table Tennis in India
Takako Osawa:
How do you see the future of table tennis in India?
Vita Dani:
The future of table tennis in India is incredibly promising. Not long ago, India had only around two players ranked within the world’s top 100. Today, that number has grown to more than ten. We are also seeing outstanding results at the youth level, including India’s first-ever gold medal at the Asian Youth Championships. However, we do not see this as the end goal. Rather, this is just the tip of the iceberg, and we believe there is much more growth still to come.
Takako Osawa:
What do you think has driven the rapid rise of strong Indian players?
Vita Dani:
A key factor has been building a strong pathway from the grassroots to the elite level. We have worked to connect grassroots initiatives to schools, schools to academies, and academies to top-level players. Without a solid foundation, it is difficult to both find and properly develop talent. Since around 2015, we have invested heavily in grassroots development and now support more than 13 academies.
As a result, the number of players competing internationally has more than doubled, and we are also seeing significant growth in viewership and media value. We believe that we are now beginning to transform the table tennis ecosystem in India.
Partnership and Shared Opportunities
Vita Dani:
India has enormous potential, and we believe the table tennis market here will continue to grow significantly.
While Butterfly is already a globally recognized brand, we feel that its full value and potential have yet to be fully realized in India.
Takako Osawa:
We completely agree. India is a market with tremendous potential. This partnership provides a valuable opportunity to help more people experience the appeal of Butterfly’s products and brand.
Vita Dani:
Ever since I was a kid, Butterfly has pretty much been “the brand” when it comes to table tennis, and I hardly knew any others. What do you think is the key to that success?
Takako Osawa:
At Butterfly, everyone is truly passionate about table tennis. We’re united by a shared belief: “make the sport more appealing” and “create better equipment.” This shared passion brings us together as a team, and we believe it is one of our greatest strengths.
Looking Ahead
Vita Dani:
Do you have any advice for a developing table tennis market like India?
Takako Osawa:
Over the past decade, a large number of talented players have emerged from India, so I think it is important to further refine and strengthen the development programs that have proven successful so far. At the same time, given India’s huge population, getting more people involved in table tennis will be key to driving its continued growth.
Vita Dani:
What are your expectations for UTT going forward?
Takako Osawa:
What we hope most is to convey the true appeal of table tennis to people across India. Through UTT, I hope the league will inspire more people to experience the sport and make them think, “I want to try playing it.”
Vita Dani:
We also aim to bring more people into the world of table tennis. At the same time, we hope to make the Butterfly brand as widely recognized in India as the sport itself. We are truly honored to be part of this partnership.
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