Hope Ultimate Table Tennis follows European model in 4-5 years: Achanta Sharath Kamal
Mumbai: Achanta Sharath Kamal, India’s top table tennis player, has been a success in the sport. Being picked up by RP-SG Mavericks, he spoke about the upcoming Ultimate Table Tennis tournament in India, and his table tennis journey so far.
Sharath, who has also played in some of the European leagues across Germany, Sweden and Spain shared his thoughts of the Ultimate Table Tennis helping the youth.
“Fifteen years ago, I went to Europe because I needed basic exposure in international standard events. I became the best in the country, so my next aim is to improve in the international scale. There, it is a 10 month programme, where we play matches on a home and away basis, during weekends,” the 34-year-old from Tamil Nadu said.
He also hoped the UTT will develop in a similar way. “I hope UTT also does shape up in that way. This is starting off as a three week programme, but I hope 4-5 years down the line, it will become longer,” he added.
Sharath Kamal also lauded an initiative like the Ultimate Table Tennis, saying that it would help youngsters to get more exposure as they will get the chance to play with top players.
“It is going to be a fantastic tournament. Now, the youngsters can get this kind of exposure in India. So, it is really fantastic for table tennis, we will have some top players here, and foreign coaches also. The access to knowledge is readily available. It is always good to be part of something big happening in India,” he further commented.
An Arjuna Awardee, Sharath said that winning the Award motivated him to look forward. “Winning the award encouraged me to do more,” he said.
When asked about what advice he would give to upcoming young talents, he said, “You need to aim higher, coming from India it is very difficult, given the financial situation, and the lack of exposure we have, we don’t aim big.
But now I think the scenario is changing, so I think the youngsters need to aim high. Only if you aim high can you work to the limit. You have to push yourself to your limits,” he said.
When asked about what he learnt from the Indian Open semifinal loss to 13-year old Tomokazu Harimoto, earlier this year, he said, “I learnt how to handle the press, because the press is making a sensation saying a 13-year player, but if you look at the rankings, I don’t know.
He played in the quarterfinals of the World Championships, he is ahead of me in the world rankings, so I think if the age was to be considered, then the oldest player should win. Age is just a number. What I learnt from the match is you need take everybody as an opponent. I did not do that in the match. I think it is all about the talent, " he concluded.
Sharath Kamal is proving that age is just a number, as he aims to be in the top 30 in world rankings.
