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We have a fair chance of winning a medal in Tokyo 2020, says Sharath Kamal

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Sharath Kamal was hopeful of getting a medal in the mixed doubles section of Table Tennis with Manika Batra at Tokyo Olympics 2020. He had exclaimed that the development for the sport has been tremendous and in the right direction for the past 4-5 years but the process still needs to be consistent.

Sharath Kamal had felt that despite the best season, the sport is still a bridge too far from the popularity it needs. He also conveyed that India has talent in abundance but lacked a consistent process to drive the paddlers into a larger stage. 

"At the top level, we need much better infrastructure. We also need to focus on the transition age groups of under-15 and under-18 to become world beaters. It's being done over the last four-five years, but the process needs consistent, " Kamal told ToI. 

The ace paddler had revealed that the playing for the nation motivates him and that nothing is better than people cherishing his victory. He also asserted that the roadmap to the Olympics had been laid out and there is a fair chance for India to receive a medal at mixed doubles but only if they work hard and qualify. 

"Playing for the country motivates me. Nothing is more satisfying than to see people cherish your victory like their own.We have our eyes on the Olympic medal but first we must work hard to qualify. The roadmap is laid out and we are following it. We have a good chance in the mixed doubles. My partner (Manika) is in sublime form, so we have a fair chance of winning a medal in Tokyo 2020 ", Kamal built hopes on us.

The Tamil Nadu based table tennis player had explained how he had changed his game after the injury he sustained in 2015 World Championship, China. He also stipulated that the TTFI must hire a new coach sooner, as the Olympics is just a year away. 

"The longer the TTFI (Table Tennis Federation of India) keeps looking, the more momentum we'll lose. This is an important year, one year ahead of the Olympics. Whoever comes on as coach will need at least a few months to understand the Indian system. So, we need a coach now ", he reasserted.

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