The Table Tennis Federation of India is planning a coaching camp for its Olympic contingent in Sonepat from June 20, making an attempt to make up for a far from best Games build-up amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the second wave of COVID-19 ravaging the nation, the 4 Tokyo-bound gamers — Sharath Kamal, G Sathiyan, Manika Batra and Sutirtha Mukherjee — have been restricted to particular person coaching since qualifying in March.
(*20*)“The preparations haven’t been best however you may not assist it amid the pandemic. We at the moment are awaiting SAI’s approval for the 15-day camp. It ought to come in a day or two. “A complete of 12 gamers and 4 assist workers might be a part of the camp. The gamers have skilled in DPS Sonepat earlier additionally so they’re comfy with the ability,” TTFI advisor MP Singh told PTI.
Barring Sathiyan, who wants to continue training with coach S Raman in Chennai and avoid travel in COVID times, the other Olympic-bound paddlers will be be part of the camp. Besides the Olympic-bound players, other India players including Archana Kamath, Sanil Shetty and Manav Thakkar, will also be in Sonepat.
“The players will undergo RT-PCR tests upon arrival on June 17 and when the camp begins from June 20, there will undergo a rapid antigen test daily,” mentioned Singh. Sharath, who is about to compete in his fourth Olympics, couldn’t get the visa to coach in Denmark and due to this fact is trying ahead to a lot wanted observe in a staff surroundings. He and Sathiyan might be competing in singles however the veteran’s focus is on combined doubles with Manika. They each gained a shock bronze on the 2018 Asian Games and the pairing stays India’s finest likelihood of one other good end result in Tokyo.
“Manika and I targeted on our motion earlier than and through the qualifiers. Now we have to get higher at enjoying conditions in a match. The preparations have been far from best (as a result of COVID) however we have to make the perfect use of this camp,” mentioned Sharath.
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