Panaji: Dempo Goa Challengers showed big intent at Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 auction by signing Bernadette Szocs as the highest-valued player of the auction in Mumbai on Tuesday.The two-time champions’ strategy saw them anchor the squad around elite global performers Szocs and Alvaro Robles, and inject it with fearless young Indian players.Szocs is the reigning European Games champion in women’s singles and a three-time Olympian, having participated in 2016, 2020 and 2024 editions of the Olympics. She also defeated Olympic champion Chen Meng at WTT Champions Frankfurt in 2023.Thanks to her experience, the 31-year-old Romanian commanded the highest fee at the auction.Besides Szocs and Robles, Goa added teenagers Syndrela Das and Abhinandh PB, as well as Divyansh Srivastava and Ananya Chande.Unlike other auctions where the prices are clear, UTT auctions are based on tokens as notional value, with players signing contracts with the league promoters for an undisclosed amount.Dempo are keen to make an impression at home since the seventh edition will be played at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao from July 9 to 26.“We wanted a squad that balances experience and youth,” said team owner Shrinivas Dempo. “With Bernadette and Alvaro, we have proven match-winners, while the younger players bring hunger and energy.”Meanwhile, Diya Chitale, who became the highest-valued Indian for the second successive year, joined PBG Pune Jaguars for 37.4 lakh tokens. Her mixed doubles partner, Manush Shah, wasn’t far behind, picked up by U Mumba TT for 37.2 lakh.Backing that core, Pune added France’s Prithika Pavade and Egypt’s Omar Assar, while further strengthening their domestic lineup with Mudit Dani and Sayanika Maji.“The auction once again reflected the depth and quality that UTT has built over the years. It was encouraging to see teams invest in both proven international names and emerging Indian players,” said UTT co-promoter Vita Dani.
