Test of mettle awaits paddlers

A test of mettle, in the face of stiff competition, is what the Commonwealth Games (CWG) will provide to the India paddlers.

A test of mettle, in the face of stiff competition, is what the Commonwealth Games (CWG) will provide to the India paddlers. Guide to Table Tennis

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Currently in China for training, the contingent, lead by veterans Achanta Sharath Kamal and Mouma Das, has the right blend of experience and raw talent.

During the CWG test event organised in the Capital in June, the squad showed promise. Despite not being amongst medals, Sharath gave a good account of himself. However, it was the resolve of Poulami Ghatak, Soumyadeep Roy and Mouma that will again be the focus at the Yamuna Sports Complex, the venue of the event.

Strategy

The regimen has been hard but also fun. "The squad has trained well for the Games. The coaching staff have left nothing to chance and every player realises the magnitude of the event. Right from attention to team play to learning from video footage of possible key competitors, the attention to detail has been excellent," said Sharath.

But he agreed that preparing for the mega event was half the job done.

Calming nerves in front of hundreds of expectant eyes can be as daunting as a formidable opponent. "Home support is like a double-edged sword. It can work for you or against depending on how you and your opponent deal with the pressure. In TT, fans are relatively close to the actual playing arena. As a player of international standards, you have to adapt and make full use of home support," he said.

Guidance

When the scale of preparation is daunting, the coaching staff have to be experienced, creative and observant. "Individual attention coupled with group sessions is what I have been focussing on. Every player has a unique style and strong points. To make use of these and yet not exhaust the players is of prime importance," chief coach, Massimo Constantini, told HT from Suazhou, the venue of the ongoing special camp.

"Never underestimate or overestimate the person on the other side," said the Italian.

Chinese angle

Although China, the traditional powerhouse, do not participate in the CWG, some feel their presence is felt in any table tennis event. Some of the most skilled players representing countries like Singapore, Canada and England, trace their roots to that country.

"Singapore have a few players who are of Chinese origin and they may pose a tough challenge for us in the team and individual events," Sharath was quoted as saying last month.

There are others who prefer to downplay the lineage. For Yu Mengyu of Singapore, a player's origin pales in comparison to form. "It does not matter where your ancestors come from. Even champions are replaced by new stars. Globally, look at the rise of Germany. Dimitrij Ovtcharov (world No 13) has no Asian links, but his reputation precedes him," Yu had said during the test event.

Home bred

Going by recent form, an improved performance by India, compared to the previous editions, can be expected. The players however, will have to keep an eye for ferocious forehands, brilliant backhands, swirling spins and of course, the roof at the Yamuna Sports Complex which had collapsed during heavy rains, to ensure medals.

And with medals come national glory.