G. Sathiyan, on Tuesday, said India stands a good chance to win a medal in the upcoming World team table tennis championships, which begins in Sweden from April 29.
“China, Japan and Korea will be tough opponents. France and Korea are in our group. We are hopeful we can win a medal this time,” Sathiyan added.
Sathiyan, Sharath Kamal, and A. Amalraj were felicitated by the Chennai District Table Tennis Association and Indusports.
Amalraj reckoned the recent showing at the CWG will help the sport get more attention like Badminton had after Saina's and Sindhu's exploits in the Olympics.
“Manika’s performance was brilliant. Table tennis will rise in familiarity like badminton has. Sharath, Sathiyan and many talented players are certainly doing well and it will help develop the sport,” he said.
Sharath has been to four editions of the Commonwealth Games so far. He picked the 2006 CWG his most memorable.
“There was a lot of pressure on us, especially on me and Sathiyan, this time. He and I were top seeds. But, personally, the first time in 2006 is my most memorable. The first experience of that atmosphere was different. I felt it was like a big dining hall with around 10,000 people,” he said.
Talking about head coach Massimo Costantini, he said: “He’s a lucky coach. It was under him that we won five medals in the 2010 CWG. He has good administrative skills. He was able to bring in more funds, and was able to plan everything in an organised way.”
“He brought in a system where everyone plays together, and he gives us proper guidance. He was also able to give individual attention. He suggested player-specific tactics,” Sathiyan added.
Referring to the 2020 Olympics, he said that an Olympic medal is very much in sight for India.
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