Gandhidham : It’s a historic moment for Gujarat TT fraternity as not one, not two but a total of three Gujarat paddlers have made the cut for the five-member Indian men’s team which is due to set sail for Chengdu, China to take part in the 56th edition of the World Table Tennis Championship (Team).
Surat-boy and multiple times Commonwealth Games medallist, Harmeet Desai, 29, will have the company of his city-mate Manav Thakkar, 22, and Vadodara lad Manush Shah, 21, for China meet.
Top-ranked Indian in the world at No. 37, G Sathiyan will take charge of the Indian team in the absence of legendary Sharath Kamal, who has opted out of the Worlds.
Talking about the historic moment, Vipul Mittra IAS, President of Gujarat State Table Tennis Association, extended his warm wishes to the state paddlers. “It is so overwhelming to know that more than 50 percent of the Indian squad for this prestigious event comprises of Gujarati players. Our state players are playing at top level against world-class paddlers for so long. All the hard work for so many years has paid rich dividends,” Mr. Mittra said.
While the seasoned Harmeet will gear up for his fourth appearance, Manav and the southpaw Manush eye a grand debut at Worlds.
“It feels amazing to have outnumbered other states. Also, I feel proud that our state has come a long way in table tennis,” Desai, India no. 3, said from Bulgaria.
Manav and Manush both sounded excited about their China sojourn and want to make the most from the golden opportunity they have got.
“It’s the second-most important tournament for us after Olympics. Top players from across the globe will be in action. I am a bit tensed but motivated as well to complete against the best,” India no. 5 Thakkar, who is currently practising with Sharath at his Chennai academy, said.
The youngest member of the squad, Manush will not just debut at the Worlds but also make his maiden appearance in the national team. “I am grateful to God for this opportunity to play with senior Indian players. I am looking forward to contribute for the team’s cause,” said Manush, while on his way to Bulgaria.
The teams:
Men: G. Sathiyan, Sanil Shetty, Harmeet Desai, Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar.
Women: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Reeth Rishya, Diya Chitale and Swastika Ghosh.
Coaches: S. Raman and Anindita Chakraborty / Chris Adrian Pfeiffer (personal coach).
Masseur: Harmeet Kaur.
