Baboor is a cut above the rest

Even when I was still playing, they were developing into strong contenders for the top slot. They had been attending national camps, have been sent abroad by the federation for intensive training and done quite well in domestic tournaments as well. Chetan has done extremely well in the last couple of years, winning the national crown twice in succession, and the gold medal in men’s doubles, along with S. Raman, at the last Commonwealth Games.

As for the overall standard, the gap between the top four players and the rest is very wide. During my playing days, there were at least three-four players who could always upset the other. But watching this championships, such a thing looks a very remote possibility. Chetan’s game is definitely a few rungs above the rest. The fact that some of the top-ranked players, Sunil Babras, S Sriram and S Ramaswamy, are in their 30s is a sad commentary on our youngsters. The veterans are still continuing because there are not enough youngsters to replace them.

On women players: There is no consistency among our seasoned players. There have been too many fluctuations and the quality is very inconsistent.

On Bengal players doing well and other states lagging behind: The fault lies in our system. The (Bengal) government and schools are giving sports the attention it needs. Most of the present-day lot take things easy, as they come. Unless the game is encouraged at the grass-root level, no amount of effort from the federation or association will make any difference.

Mumbai used to be the centre from where players had emerged on the national scene. But with the expansion of the city, it has become impossible to have collective training and coaching.

On the Table Tennis Academy at Ajmer, which was started three years ago: We cannot expect miracles overnight. One must give the boys time to mature. I am sure results will come in a few years. Already, a couple of the boys from the academy have done well in the junior and sub-junior nationals. It is good to prepare a second string. I am positive results will soon begin to show.

On the issue of foreign coaches: I am all for foreign coaches, but they must be good. The game has advanced so much that if we continue to adopt old methods, other nations will leave us far behind. Foreign coaches are well versed with the latest methods of training. In fact, our federation and state associations should take maximum benefit from their presence and conduct clinics for Indian coaches. The national coaches, in turn, can train our players in latest techniques.

On starting his own academy: I have got so much from the game that I do want to give back something. Even during my playing days, I used to coach youngsters, mostly at the Matunga Gymkhana in Mumbai. But yes, I want to seriously take up a coaching job because that will keep me in touch with the game and with the players.

On taking up an administrative post in the federation: No, I am not cut out for that.I have been a player all along and would like to help the players by coaching. I would rather do a bit of writing like I did at the Goa Nationals.