Expect medals in next Olympics: T-T coach

“Table tennis requires long-term planning. I am hopeful that even though the Olympic qualification tournament is going to be a difficult one,yet Indians have the potential to qualify. May be they do not win medals but they have the ability to perform well against their opponents at the Olympics. With concentrated efforts,medals can come in the next Olympics or perhaps in the one next to that,” explained the former table tennis international who also played in the 1987 World Championships held at New Delhi and had won a bronze in the doubles event.

He said that table-tennis is not just a game of hands,fitness also counts a lot and to ensure improvement in this area will be of prime importance to him. “I came to India in November last year. You cannot change the technique of players right away. Boys seem to be more technically skilled here than the girls. It is a short time before the Olympics. The Lucknow nationals are very important for me as they will give me a good opportunity to see all the Indian players. I have not yet seen top players like Sharath Kamal and Amal Raj play due to their busy schedule so I hope to see their game and that of the other players and then plan things further.”

He said that things have improved in table-tennis in India and advised that if children take up table-tennis or sports in general at the age of 6 or 7 years and good coaches are appointed,the scenario can improve further.