Paddlers to visit China to fine-tune game for CWG, Asian Games

New Delhi: As part of their preparation for Commonwealth Games, the Indian Table Tennis team led by

singles gold medallist Sharath Kamal will leave Monday night for China to acquire more in-depth knowledge about the game and identify their strength and weakness. During their three-week training-cum-competition trip, the 21-member contingent will first participate in the `Harmony 2010 China Open`, starting Aug 18 at Suzhou, and then spend a month at Zhengding province to train ahead of the October 3-14 Delhi Games. The Indian squad comprises of nine men, eight women, two coaches, one supporting staff and one umpire. Sharath, currently world ranked 39th and first Indian to break into Top-50, said the exposure trip will hold the players in good stead in this year`s Delhi Games and Asian Games. "This trip is very important keeping Commonwealth Games in mind. The trip is planned in such a way that we peak at the right time and defend our respective titles," said the Arjuna awardee. "Training in China is always a good experience. It helps the players a lot. In China we get the opportunity to play against a number of quality players, which improve our skills. We are training hard and even second string Chinese side is equally good. So we will definitely gain from the camp.” "We have trained in China on three occasions in the last few months and that will certainly help us in the Commonwealth Games. The trips will also help us in the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, China in November," said Sharath, who was today felicitated by TTFI president Ajay Singh Chautala here for his impressive show in international tournaments. The Olympian paddler became the first Indian to win an ITTF Pro Tour singles title when he clinched the Egypt Open in Cairo last month. He had first won the US Open title at Michigan same month. Sharath said his performance has improved a lot after undergoing trainings in China and Europe. "My performance has improved a lot in the recent past. For example, the training seasons in China and Europe have improved my speed and that have played important role in my recent success. I played in Europe and worked hard to overcome my short comings," said the lanky paddler. About the preparation for the Commonwealth Games, Sharath said that Singapore paddlers would present a tough challenge to the hosts in Individual and Team events. "Indians need to be on top of their game to perform well in front of home crowd. We know great expectations are being pinned on us because we are the host and also the defending champions of team individual gold in Table Tennis," he said. "Though Chinese would not be here but Chinese origin players would be here from various other teams. For example Singapore has few players who are of Chinese origin and pose tough challenge for us in Team and Individual events.” "Other teams like Nigeria and England are also good. We need to work hard to emerge at the top," said Sharath. His views were supported by Team India`s foreign coach Massimo Constantine, who said that Singapore players are much faster in their game and have the capacity to defeat any side. "Singapore have players of Chinese origin and are capable of demolishing any side. The number one Singapore woman player is from Chinese province. They play really fast and never give their opponent chance to recover. "Only way to beat them is play as fast as them and keep yourself calm and composed. In singles and men`s doubles, we are capable of beating any side including Singapore paddlers. Our first aim would be to perform well at China Open so as to improve world rankings and get some valuable rating points. That ensure us a better seeding. "Right now we are number two in the Commonwealth team rankings behind Singapore whom we beat in the final at Melbourne four years ago to win the gold medal. If we perform well in China, our rankings will improve and that will ensure a better draw and seedings at the Commonwealth Games," Constantine said. Meanwhile, TTFI also announced a cash reward for Indian paddlers who win medals at the Commonwealth Games. "In singles event, federation will give Rs three lakh for gold medal, two lakh for silver and one lakh for bronze. In the Team event, Rs one lakh for gold, 75,000 for silver and 50,000 for bronze," said TTFI General Secretary Dhanraj Choudhary. PTI