Indian paddlers brace for Chinese challenge

MUMBAI: The carpets have been rolled out, the tables have been laid, and the field has been set for the biggest table tennis extravaganza the city has seen as the 2013 Reliance India Cadet and Junior Open kick starts on Wednesday at the NSCI Stadium.
Hosts India face strong contenders in China, Iran, Hong Kong, UAE and Nigeria across 12 events for the prize money of $8000.Despite the 'pre-match jitsters' as he calls it, tournament director and eight-time national champion Kamlesh Mehta seemed confident of a healthy turnout on the eve of the tournament.
"I am slightly nervous. After last-minute preparations and overwhelming support, we will make sure everything goes according to plan," said Mehta. "This indeed feels like a dream come true for table tennis and all of us. This may not be the biggest party of my life, but it is indeed the beginning of many more to come."
The Indian team has had just a few days of training. But Mehta doesn't think it's a disadvantage. "It's true we have had just three-odd days of training in the city. Time was at a premium in this case. However, these kids are match-ready. They are fresh from the national ranking tournaments in Thane and then in Gandhidham. So they are all fit and raring to go," he said.
Amongst the lot, the Chinese players pose the greatest threat to the medal prospects for the hosts. However, Mehta views it as healthy competition and thinks it necessary to overcome the Great Wall for ranking. Players like Soumyajit Ghosh, Harmeet Desai and G Sathiyan — all products of the event — have moved up the ladder. Their consistency improved and with it their world rankings. Among girls, Neha Aggarwal, Ankita Das and Manika Batra too have made waves.
Mehta seems confident the current crop — Abhishek Yadav, Sudhanshu Grover, Manika Batra and Suthirta Mukherjee — will follow suit.
"I still have not seen the Chinese players. But they are a product of excellent system and it will be a tough competition. However, either way it is healthy for our players. We can only move up the order by beating stronger contenders. They have home advantage and a strong chance to win on the home turf. So I am sure they will make the best use of the opportunity," he added.
Apart from the prospect of win, the India Open will also act as preparation for the Indian girls who made the cut for the World Junior Championships to be held in Morocco from December 1 to 8 this year.
India junior No. 2 Grover who made the grade for the individual event to will have added motivation. Besides, points earned will also come in handy for the seeding in next year's Youth Olympics in Nanjing. Especially for players like Yadav. "I observed other teams during practice today and the Chinese are a cut above the rest. They are quick. It would be tough. But we are going to leave no stone unturned," said the India junior No. 1.