Syndrela Das feels 'Great' after joining TOPS Development Programme, aims development and more exposure | Exclusive

Rising Indian table tennis star Syndrela Das has been inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development Programme, giving the 17-year-old Kolkata paddler a significant boost ahead of the Asian Games and the upcoming phase of her career.

The 17-year-old Kolkata paddler has been a phenomenon across the last few months, racking up trophies and rising in the pecking order of the Indian Table Tennis ecosystem.

Das earned her place in the development programme after a series of impressive performances on the international circuit. She won a silver medal in the girls' doubles and a bronze in the girls' singles at the Asian Youth Championships in Thailand.

Her rise has been particularly rapid. In 2023, Das completed a rare sweep of the National Ranking Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 singles titles, before making her senior nationals debut in 2025.

She has since continued to make an impact at senior level, including winning the women's singles title at the UTT National Ranking Championships in Kanpur earlier this month. She won the WTT Feeder event in Vadodara at the start of the year and has then continued her upsurge, which earned her the Best Female player award in the Commonwealth TT championships as well.

Das was previously part of a dedicated TOPS development group created for young table tennis players aged 14 to 17.

Sydrela Das reacts to TOPS Inclusion

After her induction, the teenage paddler was ecstatic, as she gave an exclusive reaction to MyKhel on the new and long-term programme.

"I feel great to be part of the TOPS development group now. I am looking forward to playing more tournaments and developing. Feeling grateful for the sponsorship."

The move comes at an important moment, with Das also selected in India's 10-member table tennis squad for the 2026 Asian Games. The TOPS support is aimed at helping promising athletes access the training, competition exposure and resources required to progress for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics.

Syndrela is the third Table Tennis player in this scheme, joining Payas Jain and Ankur Bhattacharjee, who were included before.