Sharath Kamal, India’s No.1 table tennis player, who has been training with European club Borussia Dusseldorf for five years from 2012-13, has signed for a new club, Schwalbe Bergneustadt, for the new season. Schwalbe has in its ranks players such as Benedikt Duda (World ranked 48), Steffen Mengel (60) among others.
It was a conscious decision, said Sharath, on his decision to opt for a new club. “I wanted to spend more time with my family [which I couldn’t playing with Dusseldorf], and at the same time be in India so that I can work with the Indian coach Massimo Constantini with an eye on the 2018 Commonwealth Games scheduled in Australia,” he said.
Further explaining his rationale, Sharath said since Schwalbe is a mid-table team, he would have to play lesser number of matches, and hence will get time to play in a few more Pro Tours. “That way, there will be less amount of pressure on me. Having said that, I will get good quality of matches to play,” he said.
With his focus on the CWG — in what could, probably, be his swansong event — Sharath said he would work with Constantini, who is one of his favourite coaches, on the doubles pairings too for the quadrennial event.
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