Team Herald
PANJIM: “Table tennis is being repackaged into a better product with events like WTT Star Contender. And, with my induction as Chairperson of Athletics Commission at International Table Tennis Federation, it will be my endeavour to take the game to a higher level now,” stated Indian legend Achanta Sharat Kamal.
The Arjuna Awardee paddler is braced up for the challenges of taking the players along the new path as he plans to introduce administrative reforms. Sharath was pleased with the way the Goa event was conducted, even if it did not go according to his plans.
Asked about his approach to the new chapter pertaining to his off-the-field career, the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri recipient explained: “It’s about understanding the requirements of the players, requirements of the administration and then bridge the gap. New policies are the need of the hour while the players would have to double up the efforts,” stated Sharath at a press conference here today. He is looking forward to the second executive committee meeting of ITTF Athletes Commision coming up in Singapore.
With table tennis throwing up a host of quality young talent of late and with the trend of upsets on display even at WTT Goa, 40-year-old Sharath underlined the revolution the sport of TT is going through. “I am sure we have come a long way in the last few months. The WTT, ITTF and players are bonding well. Everybody is so happy to see table tennis being presented in this way,” said Sharath, who started playing competitive TT at 16.
“It is very helpful and important for us to listen to the voice of the athletes,” remarked
ITTF President, Petra Sorling. The Swedish official outlined the role of Athletes Commision and hoped that the onongoing WTT Star Contender will provide a big boost to Indian TT.
“I felt the emergence of a new generation of players. The event will inspire the youngsters and as such the future is very bright, added Petra, who has been at the helm of ITTF since 2021.
Former India TT star, Kamlesh Mehta, who is the General Secretary of Table Tennis Federation of India, outlined some steps his committee intends taking up to prepare a competitive bunch of talented players to meet the global standard.
“Many countries that are doing very well have focused on intensive training. We need a good training structure and centres for players development. We need coaches to create a very good pool of basic players. We have been largely depending on foreign coaches. That’s fair enough as they have better knowledge than the locals and we must continue using their services. But as a long strategy, we need to have our own experts. The next step is that we want to increase the ranking base for the Indian players. And finally, from 60 rankings we need to raise it to 100,” explained Kamlesh.
The Arjuna Awardee underlined the need to strengthen the talent scouting programme and also getting the services of nutritionists and physical trainers.
Kamlesh hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative in looking after the needs of sportspersons through new schemes and special drives.
CEO and Co-founder of Stupa Sport Analytics, Megha Gambhir shared the passion-fuelled journey she and her partner Deepak Malik have embarked on.
