…opposition yet unknown, draw not confirmed
TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Table-tennis will be the first event to get underway on Sunday morning as the 3rd Lusofonia Games will finally commence at the renovated and refurbished multipurpose indoor complex at Pedem, Mapusa.
However, the India team has no clue whom they will take on as the organizers are yet to confirm participation from other countries and then only announce the fixtures. So far, only 44 participations have been confirmed with ten from India, Macau and Portugal while eight from Angola. The Sri Lankan team consists of six players.
The sport will feature seven events in four categories mainly singles, doubles, team (men and women) and mixed doubles. The medal matches will take place at the same venue on January 20, 22 and 23.
With a strong squad, India is expected to turn the tide in their favour. Leading the men’s team of five members will be reining national champion Soumyajit Ghosh, who is the youngest Indian national champion. He was also the youngest Indian to qualify for the London Olympics and is currently fifth in Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) rankings as of December, 2013. The others in the Indian men’s team are Anthony Amalraj (No 1, Tamil Nadu), Harmeet Desai (No 2, Gujarat), Adarsh P (No 2, Goa ) and Diljeet Vilingkar (No 1, Goa). Completing the Indian contingent is the women’s team comprising of Madhurika Patkar (No 1, Mumbai), K Shamini (No 3, Tamil Nadu), Ankita Das (No 5, West Bengal), Tanisi Kirtani (No 2, Goa) and Divya D’Mello (No 1, Goa).
Peter Engel, India coach expects his team to put up a good performance and finish on the podium in both, men’s and women’s categories. “Shamini and Gosh are sick and missed the morning session but they took part in the evening practice and we have to monitor their condition tomorrow. Everyone looks fit after the National championships and it will be an added advantage for us. We should clinch medals in every event.” expressed the German coach.
Engel was the head coach of the Netherlands from 1994 to 99 before heading to Spain in 2000. He coached the Spanish women’s team 2009-12. “Since I’m from Europe, I know that Portugal’s men’s team is very strong in the tournament but we should beat their women’s team. I don’t know our other opponents much. Overall, our preparations have been good and we have been provided good facilities,” said Engel, who feels Goa is the nicest place he has seen since his arrival in the country on October 15, 2013. Assisting Engel is Goan coach Irwin Cordo.
