Photo Caption: The main attraction - Steve, Ariel, Anil & Lily warm up for their action-packed doubles duel. Photo Credit: Brian Babcock

More than 150 generous patrons and fans of table tennis poured into the India Community Center to show their support for the ICC Table Tennis Program that has been an implacable success with sustained explosive growth and even more to offer this year.
After sampling some tasteful appetizers and filling the lobby with laughter and lively discussion the doors were at last opened to the hall and it was immediately apparent that this was no ordinary fundraiser - some of the country's brightest TT stars were excitedly warming up on 5 tables throughout the hall as surprised patrons found their tables alongside the athletes. Once everyone found their seats a delicious buffet was opened and was accompanied by several TT training exercise exhibitions and a few warm-up matches between the program's stars.

After much anticipation the main attractions made their way to the center table - Rajul Sheth (TT Program Director) squared off against Anil Godhwani (ICC Co-Founder) in a high-energy, almost theatrical duel. This was shortly followed by a celebrity doubles match as Anil Godhwani and Lily Zhang faced off against Former CA State Controller Steve Westly and Ariel Hsing.

After watching several displays of the level of skill and potential available to ICC Table Tennis, Mike Cavanaugh, CEO of USATT Nationwide, presented Rajul with a plaque commemorating his recent selection as the National Development Coach of the Year as selected from nominees by all sports on the Olympic Program. Cavanaugh stated, "To be selected by USA Table Tennis as the Development Coach of the Year is a distinct honor in and of itself.  To be selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the Development Coach of the Year from nominees submitted by all of the other Olympic Program sports is huge. It places Rajul, the ICC and USA Table Tennis in a position of high praise and recognition by the U.S. Olympic Committee.  I am personally and professionally very proud of Rajul and all that is has accomplished and for that he will accomplish in the future." 
 
This was followed by an impassioned plea from Anil and Steve for all to support the program in any way they could. To kick off the donation drive Anil and Steve jointly matched every donation up to $20,000 in a very generous act of support that was quickly reciprocated by a sea of TT supporters.

Friday night the ICC grossed over $47,000 towards alleviating the Table Tennis program deficit. While there is still a ways to go, the ICC TT's loyal base has rallied behind this star-studded program for the long haul to ensure this program will be turning out table tennis stars for years to come.
 
About the TT Program
The India Community Center is the largest full time TT center in North America with all International standards, More than 100 kids train regularly in Junior training program, International TT summer camps with more than 200 players and former World champions participation, Largest USATT singles league with more than 130 players play league matches every week. Learn more about the program.