Padlock after lockdown
Paddlers refuse to join training, say it’s too early
New Delhi, May 18: The Table Tennis Federation of India on Monday sought written consent from its top 16 players to join a training camp after the government allowed sports complexes to open but wary paddlers said they would prefer to wait a while.
Most players, including India's leading players Sharath Kamal and G. Sathiyan, said they were not comfortable travelling anytime soon amid the Covid-19 pandemic. TT camps are held at NIS Patiala, Sonepat and Kolkata.
“We were asked to join camp at the end of the month but I feel it is too early for that. Cases continue to rise and travel restrictions are in place. Training can wait until situation improves significantly,” World No.31 Sharath, who is based in Chennai, said.
“Anyway, all ITTF (international body) activities are suspended till end of June. There is no event planned in the near future. It would be nice for the whole team to be together again but not anytime soon.”
The players have been confined to their homes ever since the lockdown was enforced almost two months ago. The government on Sunday extended the lockdown till May 31 with more relaxations.
Like Sharath, World No.32 Sathiyan is based in Chennai and said he would rather train in his hometown given the current situation.
“It is not safe to travel in the given situation. I would prefer to train in Chennai at Raman TTHPC along with my coach (S. Raman) and a few sparring partners post the lockdown.
“Also, I have a great setup here with the necessary fitness training regime under Ramji Srinivasan (former Indian cricket team trainer). Hope I will get the necessary permission from the authorities,” said Sathiyan.
TTFI secretary general M. P. Singh wrote to the players on Monday morning, seeking their availability for the training camp following government’s announcement.
“We have written to the players (8 men and 8 women) to check their availability for the training camp as early as next week. If they are ready to resume training, we can organise something by next week or end of the month,” Singh said.
However, with travel restrictions in place, it remains to be seen how willing players assemble at one place.
While Sharath and Sathiyan are in Chennai, star women paddler Manika Batra is in Pune.
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