The Table TennisFederation of India (TTFI) has officially announced today the selection of theIndian team for the upcoming 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships, scheduledto be held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
This prestigious event,set to take place from October seven to 13, will witness the participation ofthe continent’s top table tennis talents, and the selection committee has nameda formidable squad to compete on this grand stage.
The Indian contingent,consisting of seasoned players and promising newcomers, is expected to make astrong impact at the championships. The selection process was rigorous, withthe TTFI giving precedence to the world ranking, international experience, andperformance at the national level as key criteria for the final squad.
Men’s Team: A. SharathKamal (Captain), Manav Thakkar, Harmeet Desai, G. Sathiyan, Manush Shah;Reserve Players: SFR Snehit and Jeet Chandra.
Women’s Team: SreejaAkula, Manika Batra (Captain), Ayhika Mukherjee, Diya Chitale, SutirthaMukherjee; Reserve Players: Yashaswini Ghorpade and Poymantee Baisya
The TTFI president MeghnaAhlawat expressed confidence in the team’s potential, stating, “Our playershave shown remarkable progress over the past year, and we are optimistic abouttheir chances at the Asian Championships. The competition will be tough, butour athletes are ready to take on the best in Asia.”
Secretary General KamleshMehta, sharing his views, said: “This squad represents the best of Indian tabletennis, with a perfect blend of experience and youth. Our preparation has beengood, and I am confident our players will deliver outstanding performances inAstana. We are looking forward to seeing them shine on the continental stage.”
The Indian team has been underthe guidance of foreign expert Massimo Constantini, who has been working tofine-tune the players’ skills and strategies since his return to India. Thesquad, especially the women, had done well in the Paris Olympics, reaching thequarterfinals. “I am hopeful they will put their best foot forward in theAsthana championships,” he said.
As a crucial qualificationevent for the World Table Tennis Championships and the Asian Games, the AsianChampionships hold significant importance for the Indian team. With a strongdetermination to excel, the players are set to make their mark and bring gloryto the nation.
=====