Sharath Kamal eyes Games title

RANCHI: Achanta Sharath Kamal followed Chetan Baboor to the big leagues in Europe, and has never regretted the move. India's top table tennis player wants others to follow suit.
"It's just a question of getting over some mindsets," he said. "It's not easy I know, but once you get a foothold there, you are bound to improve because of the quality of competition. It was Chetan who took me to Sweden in 2004 and I've benefitted hugely," added the nine-time national champion who now resides in Germany as a pro and has recently got the big break into the Bremen team.
"There are a few who have started exploring life as a pro in Europe.I guess it's also about some self-belief that you can hold your own in that company," he said.
Interestingly, the national federations will be sending the top paddlers to next month's Polish Open, where Sharath too will be playing.
On a busy day at the 34th National Games here, he wore a happy look soon after Maharashtra had staved off a stiff challenge from Bengal in the team semifinals. But there were other reasons too.
"I became a father on the 4th," he said, happy that he has found time for the Games this time. "It's one title I don't have in my kitty as yet," the world No. 40 reminded.
With the Olympics in his focus, the days ahead will be very important.
"The world championship is coming up in May and it's a good place to earn your Olympic berth. I won't be moving anywhere but just training. With all the things happening around you, the trips to India always tend to get me a little loose," smiled the ace who won the national title in Kolkata last month, capping a very profitable 2010 on the pro circuit. It also had a doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Saying that a club-based pro league in India would do wonders, he is happy that things are looking up. "Cricket is showing the way," he said, even as he reminded: "We are not a sports nation like Germany, we are an academics-oriented nation, and we do well in that area."