AJIT JOHN
ajit@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: “I am very happy the way I am playing. It is very satisfying to win and qualify for the main draw of WTT Star Contender 2023,” exclaimed Harmeet Desai at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium, Taleigao, on Tuesday.
Harmeet Desai is an experienced player on the national and international table tennis scene. Speaking to O Herald he said he had played against players who were much higher ranked than him and that he was geared up for the bigger challenge ahead.
Harmeet was fascinated that a tournament of this stature was being held in Goa and India, for the very first time. He opined that the arrangements were top notch and that he had never thought that such a world event would be held in India. “It is a great step towards taking Indian table tennis to a higher level. All the top ranked players of the world are here. It should happen more often in India, so we can learn and India can also improve,” remarked Harmeet.
Speaking about the future, Harmeet disclosed that the singles world championship was around the corner and that the confidence was high considering the performance in the present championship. “Earlier, India had beaten Germany which went on to lose in the finals. It was a huge step for Indian TT. This upset was something which was not possible earlier. India is improving and is on the right track,” added Harmeet.
Speaking about the foreign coaches, he said there were quite a few of them in the country. “The players are now quite professional, with a proper team, coach and support staff,” said Harmeet adding that Germany are ranked as world number two and their coaches are even better than the Chinese or Japanese.
Asked about the progress of TT in India, Harmeet replied: “I expect a medal in the 2028 Olympics. However, the competition is tough as everyone is working hard and most countries have great infrastructure.”
Asked about the young talent, Harmeet pointed out there is very good talent and that the juniors had won a gold at the Asian junior championship. It never happened before. Hence the future is very bright,” concluded Harmeet.
Speaking about the future, he said the singles world championship was around the corner and the confidence was high considering the performance in the World Team Championship. India had beaten Germany which went on to lose in the finals. This he said was a huge step for Indian TT, this upset was something which was not possible earlier. India, he said, was improving and was on the right track.
Speaking about the foreign coaches, he said there were quite a few in the country. The players he said were now quite professional, with a proper team, coach and support staff. He said there were Germans who were very good and the country was ranked number two. When asked if Chinese or Japanese coaches should be selected, he said the Chinese coaches were difficult to get and Germany was better than Japan at this point in time.
Asked how Indian TT would be in the next five years, he said he expected a medal in the Olympics in 2028. Asked when Indian TT would see something similar to what happened with Indian Badminton following the win in the Thomas Cup, he said it was difficult to say because everyone was working hard and everyone had great infrastructure in their countries and felt in 2028, India should be able to win a medal.
Asked if there were any young talented Indian table tennis players that made him go vow, he said, it was difficult to pinpoint one because there were many. The juniors had won a gold medal at the junior Asian junior championship which had never happened before. He concluded by saying the future of the sport in the country was secure.
