Celebrating a Legacy: Rakesh Jassal Receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Table Tennis

Honoring a Table Tennis Pioneer

DHARAMSHALA - The District Table Tennis Club in Dharamshala is filled with pride as Shri Rakesh Jassal, the esteemed retired International Chief Coach from the Sports Authority of India, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Himachal Pradesh Table Tennis Association in Shimla on March 7, 2026.

This accolade celebrates his remarkable 33 years of commitment and service to the sport. Between 1992 and 2025, Shri Jassal was instrumental in developing talent, mentoring over 100 players for state-level competitions and guiding more than 60 players to national events from the Kangra district and across Himachal Pradesh. Impressively, over 10 of his trainees have secured jobs in both government and private sectors due to their sporting achievements.

On the global front, Shri Jassal represented India as part of the Indian Youth Table Tennis Team in Doha, Qatar, in October 2024, where the team earned four medals, enhancing India's reputation in the sport.

During his acceptance speech, Shri Jassal expressed heartfelt thanks to his wife, Mrs. Kusum Jassal, the District Table Tennis Association of Kangra, and former Himachal Pradesh Table Tennis Association President Shri Ritesh Chauhan (IAS), dedicating the award to Shri Chauhan for his unwavering support.

Throughout his illustrious career, Shri Jassal dedicated a significant portion of his efforts to the Kangra district, providing players with national-level exposure and transforming the identity of table tennis in the region. The District Table Tennis Club, Dharamshala, recognized his invaluable contributions and expressed deep gratitude.