Cho-Le..(चो ले)
It's the second week of November, diwali had just been celebrated and winter has just set in. At 6 am it is pitch dark in Pune. My wife, daughter, and her coach are ready to go for table tennis practice at Balewadi stadium, which is some 500 metres from our hotel. I am bit skeptical, given the darkness.
After 5 minutes, she sends me a message that they were quite late! To prove her point, she then sends me images from the venue. Young Boys and girls (along with their coaches, parents) lined up since 5 am for practice at the venue. All 16 international type tables were booked!!
This happy scene was witnessed at the 80th State level championship which was recently held at Balewadi Sports Centre, Pune. The event was attended by over 1000 zealous boys and girls who poured in from all districts of Maharashtra (there are 25 district associations in Maharashtra which operate under the aegis of Maharashtra State Table Tennis Association. MSTTA then becomes part of TTFI (table tennis federation of India) ).
In the end only a select few players emerged as champions, but in my view every participant was a winner. Most importantly, the game of table tennis was the true winner 🥇.
In the end only a select few players emerged as champions, but in my view every participant was a winner. Most importantly, the game of table tennis was the true winner 🥇.
I have witnessed the same levels of enthusiasm in the last 3 state championships, and it is indeed a heartening sight. Youngsters of 7-8 years age walking with a racket in hand, a coach or no coach, but giving their 100% on the table. Players using same pair of shoes or rackets among themselves but still winning matches.
This is incredible. Aptly proving the famous saying that "it's not the colour of the balloon, but it is the gas inside the balloon that takes it to heights".
I also remembered a few lines from famous movie Ratatouille, "Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.." Likewise there are many players who hail from small towns of the state, but are still in top five in the state. Bottomline is - no Sport sees your birthplace.
Rise of Table Tennis in India
I also remembered a few lines from famous movie Ratatouille, "Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.." Likewise there are many players who hail from small towns of the state, but are still in top five in the state. Bottomline is - no Sport sees your birthplace.
Rise of Table Tennis in India
During the mid 80s, India's presence in the international arena was unique. Players like Manjit Dua, Kamlesh Mehta, Arup Basak, Chetan Baboor kept the Indian flag high, but somehow the game had not made inroads into the masses.
In the next few decades there had been positive developments in the game though.
Table tennis in its current form is quite different from what seniors like Mehta and Basak used to play. Be it The materials, rubber, technique, fitness regime an attitudes.
However, basics like "control" still remain the same.
However, basics like "control" still remain the same.
Table tennis in India is gaining popularity, thanks to some good performances at international levels like commonwealth games. Players like Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Mouma Das, Soumajit Ghosh have already proven their mettle in the international league. While Sathiyan G, Harmeet Desai, Sanil Shetty, Puja Sashrabuddhe Via their performances in Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), India’s first professional table tennis league, have left a positive impression on top foreign players and coaches.
In the past two three years the sport has taken giant strides in India, even if a surprising one-off blip at the Rio Olympics seems to set it back a little. At the start of 2016, India men's and women's team created history when they clinched gold medals in the second division of the World Table Tennis Championships in Kuala Lumpur and earned India a maiden qualification to the champions division, which is the top tier of these Championships.
India's table tennis star, Manika Batra received the "Breakthrough Star" award from International Table Tennis Federation.
Manika Batra had won four medals, including two gold, at Commonwealth Games and bagged a bronze medal in mixed doubles at Asian Games to mark a superb 2018.
"खेलोगे कुदोगे तो बनोगे नवाब"
Tread Safely
Having said that, like all sports, table tennis, too, as a sport faces several administrative challenges, and anamolies like opacity in management, tournament draw randomisation, bullying coaches and influencing parents, temptation to use discretion, misplaced priorities like "I want to play in all categories", and most importantly conflict of interests.
However, these could be addressed through amended guidelines and mutual consultations. It is better for any sports.
Having said that, like all sports, table tennis, too, as a sport faces several administrative challenges, and anamolies like opacity in management, tournament draw randomisation, bullying coaches and influencing parents, temptation to use discretion, misplaced priorities like "I want to play in all categories", and most importantly conflict of interests.
However, these could be addressed through amended guidelines and mutual consultations. It is better for any sports.
Sunshine Future
If the recent performance at Gold Coast CW Games and Jakarta Asian Games to be counted, India stands a good chance in future olympic games.
With corporate backing, clear vision, able guidance of India's most decorated table tennis player, and national observer of table tennis for the ministry of sports, one should have very little doubts that table tennis in India will achieve greater heights in near future.
Benefits of Sports
Most parents wish to encourage children to play sports to help them feel valued. Every child can be successful at one sport or another. However, it takes time for parents to find the sport suitable for the child. Therefore, they should be patient in selecting the sports, since it is a process that will pay off in the long run.
No other thing in life affords children such opportunity to develop positive character traits and to soak up many quality values as sports does.
In addition, participating in sports can be a helpful way of reducing stress and increasing feelings of physical and mental well-being, as well as fighting against juvenile delinquency, conflict and aggressive outbursts. The point is to keep the body in good health in order to be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
When children learn positive life lessons through sports, there is no doubt they will become honest, reliable adults who will try to help others in need at any moment.
Sports in India
India now has a much better and organised sports ecosystem. Companies like KheloMore SportzConsult, Sports For All, Sports Gurukul are offering "one stop shop" facilities for sports development, sports promotion, and organisation. Tenvic, Gary Kirsten's Cricket Academy, Tendulkar Middlesex Cricket Academy offer state of the art training facilities. People are increasingly looking at games other than cricket
Sporting culture / awareness is on the rise in tier 1/2 cities. Increasing disposable incomes, fitness / wellness orientation and media exposure are the major drivers for growth of sports business in India. I think it's the best time to take a sporting activity or enter the business of sports in India.
So, Game Onn. Khelega India to Badhega India.
Cho-Le!! (It's an expression some TT Players use after they gain a point. Cho-means "good ball". Le-means "again/one more". )
Cho-Le!! (It's an expression some TT Players use after they gain a point. Cho-means "good ball". Le-means "again/one more". )
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