Big medal hopes for GB’s table-tennis talent
TEAM MACCABI GB’S open and junior table tennis manager Zoltan Koszobe says his players are “hungry to win medals” at this summer’s Maccabiah Games.
Delighted with the two squads they are taking to Israel, Koszobe says: “We’re very lucky to have a really promising junior team with some very competitive young players as well as a small open team — we’re happy with the selection.”
With the players regularly playing and being coached, forming a bond with the squad is paramount for
Koszobe, who says: “The most important aspect for us is that the squad all go out to Israel feeling like a team, getting to know each other and becoming friends.”
Describing their aims going into the tournament, he adds: “First and foremost, everyone must enjoy and benefit from their Maccabiah experience. The players are competing at a high level so, naturally, they want to win a medal, too.”
As to what it means to the squad being out in Israel, Koszobe adds: “This will be a first Maccabiah experience for many of them and it will be a proud moment representing Team GB. For me, I just want to see them go out to Israel and enjoy the Games.”
Padel Tennis is a relatively new sport in the UK and as Team GB’s Padel manager Paul Gladstone explains: “The potential pool of players who play to a level suitable to compete at Maccabiah was relatively small.”
With the game played in pairs,
Gladstone will be teaming up with Mark Norde; Sam Jones and Sean Mayer will compete together, with the partnership of Andrew Chaytow and Mark Rubins completing the sextuplet. The squad boast experience of playing at Pan American Maccabi Games, the International Padel Federation Tour, LTA and club competitions and participation in European and World Championships.
As to what he’s hoping from his squad, Gladstone says: “The most important thing for the team is to enjoy the experience and play to the best of our potential. As competitors we are setting our goals high, we have a strong squad and believe there is a real opportunity to achieve a medal.
“Having been part of the Pan Am Maccabi in Mexico in 2019, Mark and I realised that through sport, Jewish communities from around the world are brought together and despite different languages and cultures, we have one thing in common that unites us. To now be part of a Maccabiah makes us all feel tremendously proud.”