Indian table tennis team practices for Olympic qualifier at SDAT AKG, Nehru Stadium
Legendary TT player Mr Kamalesh Metha joins to wish the team all success
Early this morning at SDAT AKG, Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Table Tennis team lead by 9 times National Champion and Padmasri Sharath Kamal along with National players Anthony Amalraj, Manav Thakar and Harmeet Desai were practicing for World Team Qualification scheduled to happen in Gondomar, Portugal from January 22 to 26.
Gnanasekaran Sathiyan, Manika Batra, Reeth Rishaya and some local paddlers are part of this camp concluding on December 30.
Addressing the media,
Legendary TT player Mr Kamalesh Metha said that I am excited to see the team practising hard for the qualifier and can see the fire in each of the men to prove in the selection. Each complementing, training, sugessting. It is so healthy and positive. I wish and hope our men to win.
Metha also had a detailed session sharing lot of techniques, strategy, etc.
Achanta Sharath Kamal, Captain of the Indian Table Tennis team and the 34th World Ranked Player,
while responding to the media persons from the sidelines of the National Training Camp
Phase I in SDAT AKG Chennai, mentioned that the focus of this 10 day Camp is to correct
technical issues if any and improve footwork and the fitness aspects of players. There will
be another Camp between 13th and 20th Jan., 2020 in Germany where teams will be playing a
lot of matches.
He exuded confidence that the Indian team, currently in a very good form and seeded 4th for
the qualifying event to be held in Portugal from Jan. 26th, stands a good chance of not only
qualifying but also getting a medal in the Olympics. This Indian team is enjoying its best
ever ranking at No. 8 in the World, reflecting its current potential. He credited support from
the agencies like the Table Tennis Federation of India, Sports Authority of India and Sports
Development of Authority of Tamil Nadu for the progress the team has been able to make
over the years.
He also referred to the financial and other support extended by the Central Government to
sportspersons in various disciplines at various levels, including from the grassroots levels,
thru its unique Khelo India Program which is helping the sports talent immensely.
