India’s leading table tennis players G Sathiyan and Manika Batra have sought an exemption from the national federation for the national camp beginning in Sonipat on Thursday, making them ineligible for selection for the upcoming Asian Championships as per the new rules.
Manika wants to continue with her training regimen in Pune while Sathiyan is playing in the Polish league. “I request (the TTFI) to let me continue with the training plan I follow. I would like to prepare well and make a lot of effort (for the upcoming events),” she said.
Sathiyan, on his part, said: “I am currently training in Poland with some high quality sparring partners and will be playing some much needed quality matches in the Polish Superliga. “And then will rest and recover for few days in Chennai and head to Doha for WTT on September 17 followed by Asians at the same place. So, unfortunately will not be able to attend the camp this time.”
The Asian Championships begin in Doha on September 28 and will be preceded by the WTT Star Contender.
Both Manika and Sathiyan had won the mixed doubles title in Hungary last month and also did well in the singles.
However, TTFI advisor M P Singh said the federation’s policies are not player specific and whosoever doesn’t turn up for the national camp will not be considered for selection as per the new rules.
Manav Thakkar and Harmeet Desai, who both are training in Germany at the moment, confirmed that they will be joining the camp soon. Sharath Kamal, too, will be attending.