The Hindu : Keep us informed, WBTTA tells TTFI

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 25, 2003

Sport

Sport - Table Tennis

Keep us informed, WBTTA tells TTFI

BANGALORE July 24. The West Bengal Table Tennis Association (WBTTA) has requested the Table Tennis Federation of India and SAI to keep the host association informed whenever it plans to conduct a National camp at the Centre of Excellence in Kolkata.

The WBTTA secretary Ashish Dutta, on a private visit here, said in a chat with The Hindu: "it is rather unfortunate that we are kept in the dark about the camps whenever they are conducted in SAI and there is very little interaction between the State Association, SAI and TTFI on this issue. I wish the TTFI will take us into confidence and keep us informed.''

Mr. Dutta expressed hope that the TTFI will allot the senior National to Bengal at least next year. "We haven't had one for the past 10 years,'' he said.

On Bengal's domination of the game, Mr. Dutta said there were nearly 70 to 80 tournaments being held in the State every year, and nearly 300 camps for the State and district players by different bodies, including the State association. "We have block and district-level training and specialised coaching at the State-level. There is a tournament almost every week in some part of the State. The talent base is solid and we also use the services of former State and National players for our coaching programme,'' said Mr. Dutta.

The Bengal Association secretary informed that the main reason for the popularity of the game among the youth was the employment opportunities it offered. "Many from the districts are economically backward and the game offers them scope to get jobs on sports quota,'' he said.

To further develop the game Mr. Dutta said that the WBTTA plans to establish satellite academies that will augment the needs of the Centre of Excellence.

Mr. Dutta hoped that the issues facing the Karnataka Table Tennis Association will be sorted out and wished that the State would regain its past glory in the game. — Our Special Correspondent

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