New Delhi, Jun 19 (PTI) India’s table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal on Friday steered clear of the controversy surrounding the axing of Manika Batra from the Asian Games squad for not meeting selection criteria, simply stating that the best players should represent the country to win medals.
Sharath, however, noted that questioning of team selection is not a new thing these days, and also hoped that there could be ways to bring her in the team.
“I cannot say much on this because I am not part of the selection committee (of TTFI). But, I just hope that the best players are there so that India can win medals,” Sharath told PTI when asked about Manika’s exclusion from the Asian Games team.
“I think it is not yet over. There could be ways where we could figure out a way if she can make it to the team. But again, it is not for me (to decide the matter),” he said on the sidelines of IOA’s Athletes Forum second edition here.
Manika was on Thursday dropped from the Asian Games team by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for not meeting selection criteria related to national level competitive appearances.
Sharath said the TTFI had requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) whether the selection process for the Asian Games could be delayed.
“There was a certain date that was decided when the selection process will be done. And the selection criteria has been fixed. So, if you are in the top 50 of the world, you will be automatically selected into the team. But, Manika is ranked just 51,” said the 43-year-old Sharath who has won seven Commonwealth Games gold medals in singles, doubles and team events combined.
“I think, from the federation side, they had requested the IOA if we could delay the selection process, the date for the last day of the entries, till a tournament which is happening now.
“But, we had to decide the team, the federation had to decide the team, by the 10th of January. And at that exact point, she did not fulfil the criteria,” said the vice chair of the IOA’s Athletes Commission.
While questioning the selection norms, Manika also said that long-standing performance at the highest level should also have been considered in the team selection.
Asked is there could be a balancing between strict application of rules and consideration of past performances in the team selection, Sharath said, “I am in no position to say that. This will be just more of an outsider’s opinion.
“There are certain rules, of course. And, for certain players, if you want to bend those rules, it is up to the federation. But, in the end, we should make sure that the best players are selected for the team, who can perform the best for the team.” He also touched upon the regular problem of selection dispute that arises before multi-sport events.
“In today’s time, there is always one or two people who will always say, I am not being picked for the other one. There are always reasons. And, the selection is always questioned in today’s time.
“But, on the other side, I think if we can find the middle ground there, what is the best for the team, how we can support the athletes there, I think that is the best way we can go.” Sharath hoping for strong show ====================== “Both men’s and women’s, we are pretty strong. In my younger days, when I played, we had only one or two very strong players. But now, I can clearly see that all the five players are pretty strong. And the bench is also quite strong. So, times have changed,” he said.
“With the men’s doubles being World No. 4 and the women’s doubles also being World No. 6, I think we have a strong bench strength. It has been really good in recent months. We have been able to have a lot of individual success in recent times. So, I hope we can continue like this.” Asian Games in Japan will be a different one logistically ==================================== Sharath, who has been named deputy chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the Asian Games in Japan later this year, said that the IOA is geared up to work for the athletes’ welfare.
“We are getting ready in the administrative side of the Asian Games. I have been to Japan a couple of times. Gave my report because as an athlete, we have to see what do we need there.
“This time, Asian Games is going to be a little different one compared to earlier ones. There is not going to be one single village as such. It is going to be more clusters around and there is a lot of distance.
“So, administratively it is going to be very tough monitoring all of it. So, we have been working on it and making sure that the IOA is able to put down its resources and make sure that we are able to support the athletes.” He also said that India can think of matching the record haul of medals in the previous edition of Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, though it could be a “tough” job.
“It is going to be a tough one to beat the medal tally what we had last time. But, at least that is what we aim for.” India finished the Asian Games in Hangzhou with a historic, record-breaking haul of 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze), which placed the country at fourth overall in the standings. PTI PDS PDS AH AH
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