For the first time in the history of Indian table tennis, the National men and women’s teams have qualified for the Olympics, through the World team rankings, the final list of which was released on Monday.
The top 16 teams make it to Paris Olympics. In the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings released this month, the Indian men’s team is ranked 15 while the women’s 13.
The Indian men’s and women’s teams failed to secure a direct spot to Paris at the Busan World team championships where the quarterfinalists made the grade. At Busan, the Indian men’s and women’s teams lost in the pre-quarterfinals to South Korea and Chinese Taipei respectively.
“It is a very big achievement. It’s been a long process. A big thanks to the Executive Committee of Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), coaches, players who have made it happen,” Kamlesh Mehta, TTFI Secretary said.
As for the two spots in singles in men’s and women’s being available as a result of the team making it to Paris, the TTFI Secretary, said, “we will decide on it (who will play singles in from the four-member team) as we have time till June 18 to give the names [to ITTF].”
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G. Sathiyan, who was part of the team at the Busan World team championships, said, “It is a historic achievement. It’s a double bonanza that women have made the cut. Our first goal was to qualify and we have been working for a long time to improve our world rankings.”
The 31-year-old, a bronze medallist in singles at the last Commonwealth Games, said a lot of factors went in for the team to qualify for the quadrennial event. “ITTF takes into consideration the teams’ performance in the last four years. We clinched the Asian championships bronze in October 2023, won medals in the Commonwealth Games. There are three paddlers in the men’s singles top 100,” he said.
“Beating Kazakhstan in the pre-quarterfinals in Busan was crucial. And also, Hong Kong lost to lower-ranked Austria in the pre-quarterfinals when we were playing Kazakhstan. All these things helped us,” explained Sathiyan, who insisted his focus will be on qualifying for Paris in mixed doubles (with Manika Batra).
Sharath Kamal, a veteran of four Olympics, said it is a great feeling of playing in the quadrennial event as a team. “It is going to my last Olympics. We did well by maintaining the 15th spot in rankings. Denmark, by virtue of reaching the quarterfinals jumped from 24th spot to 10th. They made our job tough, but we held on. If we can win one big match in team events (men & women) at Paris, we can make the quarters, which will be huge.”
As for playing in singles, Sharath said he will take a call by May after competing in the Saudi Smash tournament (May 1 to 11). “I am the top Indian in the Race to Paris rankings (53) at the moment. I will take a call in consultation with TTFI,” he said.
Harmeet Desai played a big role in World teams by clinching the fifth and final rubber against Kazakhstan for India to reach the round-of-16 in Busan. “If all goes well, it will be my first Olympics. I hope TTFI comes up with the final list of who will make up the team, and who plays doubles (Olympics consists of one doubles and four singles) by May so that we get enough time to prepare,” he said.
Ayhika Mukherjee, who upset the World No.1 Sun Yingsha of China in the women’s first Group match at the World teams in Busan, said she is thrilled to have played a part in the team making it to Paris. “I am not sure whether I will be in the team to Paris. I am keeping my fingers crossed,” she said.
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