Krishna Kanta Chakraborty| TNN | May 8, 2020, 10:51 IST
CHENNAI: Paddler G Sathiyan had a dream run in 2019 as he became the first Indian player to break into top 30. And from playing in Bundesliga to shifting base to Toyko for the Japan’s top-tier T-League, he ticked all boxes and was on the right path to secure India a men’s singles slot in the Olympics. World No. 31 Achanta Sharath Kamal, too, was very much in the fray, especially after his win in Oman Open, but the COVID-19 outbreak has changed the entire dynamics.
While World No. 32 Sathiyan is lucky to have a personal TT table and a robot to practise with, Sharath Kamal hasn't picked the racquet since his Oman title in March. Though both of them have no clue when the international events will restart, Sathiyan hopes to catch the Toyko flight to take part in the T-League in September.
“There are a lot of uncertainties and I don’t know how long this will continue. But I’m quite hopeful that I’ll be able to go to Japan to take part in the league, starting in September. I’ve been training at home with whatever resources I have but unless I get into full-fledged practice or participate in competitive events, I won’t be able to assess my game.
"If I can join T-League, which will run from September to March next year, I’m sure my game will improve by miles and I’ll get into best shape in quick time,” Sathiyan, who joined Okayama Rivets in February this year, told TOI on Thursday.
Sharath, on the other hand, has his own problems to deal with.
The veteran paddler doesn’t have a personal TT table and cannot even use his brother Rajath Kamal’s TT academy facilities as it’s situated at a city school, which has been closed for almost 50 days. Sharath feels until ITTF provides clarity on Olympic qualification rules, there is not much a player can plan at the moment.
“I’ve no clue when the international tournaments will resume and until the ITTF makes it clear how a player will qualify for the Toyko Games next year, I don’t know how to make a future plan. But yes, I’m hoping that there will be some improvement in the next two months and ITTF will finalise international schedule and restart the events by September-October.
"My primary aim is to keep myself fit and motivated. It’s a bit difficult to manage fitness with limited resources and guidance, but I’m trying my best. As far as targeting Toyko Games is concerned, given my current ranking, I should make the cut but if rules change, I don’t know,” Sharath explained.
He is also planning to invite a few sparring partners from other states once the SAI regional centres open.
“Yes, I’m planning to do that but again everything depends on how fast we control the virus and restore normalcy," Sharath said.
