Table toppers
With talented players like K. Spoorthy, Naina, A. Sreeja and Akshi Sancheti following the footsteps of former National champion (cadet category) Nikhat Banu, Andhra Pradesh table tennis scenario is on a real high when it comes to the girls section.
However, in the boys category, the State has not really been able to set the same standards. In fact it is unlikely that the State will have a representation in the Indian boys team for the World Junior Table Tennis championship to be held in Hyderabad this year-end. But things are gradually improving. With the emergence of S. Fidel R. Snehit and Sai Tejesh, there is a new hope in the boys category.
Fidel, who trains under senior State player Somnath Gosh, has been winning consistently in the cadet and sub-junior categories at various state-level tournaments. And Fidel clearly knows that with expectations increasing with every win, it is time to step up. “In the boys category, it is the West Bengal and PSPB (Petroleum Sports Promotion Board) players that are dominating the national scene. But I aim to do my best to break in to the top bracket,” said Fidel.
“I haven’t played any international level tournament yet. That is something which I want to do by the end of 2012. I want to be in the Indian sub-junior team. But for that I have to improve my ranking a lot. I am currently outside the Top 30 and to be in the national team I should be at least in the Top 6,” says the 11-year-old. With players like Birdie Boro, Lalrinpuia, Arjun Ghosh raising the bar every time, Fidel realises that the task at hand is not an easy one. “There are a lot of really strong players in the category. But I am determined to make it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sai Tejesh, who took up the sport after being encouraged by his grandfather, has set his sights on the National cadet category title. “I have improved a lot. I lost to Fidel in the finals of the State championship last time. But I am training hard to do better next time,” said the 11-year-old, whose uncle had played for the Karnataka table tennis team.
“I am targetting the cadet Nationals. I hope to become the national champion in this category,” Tejesh, a GSM Table Tennis academy product, added. It’s a tough road for both the paddlers. But let’s hope that they remain focused and achieve their goals.
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