The Andhra Pradesh Table Tennis Association (APTTA) on Friday dashed off a letter to Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas Rao highlighting the achievements of national champion Karanam Spoorthy of Vijayawada and the also dilemma faced by the paddler.
The teenage international paddler, who won the U.S. Open Championship in 2011, secured a seat in MBBS., on merit at G. S. L. Medical College, Rajahmundry in 2014. Thereafter, she opted to Ashram Medical College at Eluru in the designated sports quota.
“Being a resident student at Ashram Medical College, she was constrained to opt out of the game since she had no scope and opportunity for regular practice at Eluru, while the coach and other competitive players were at Vijayawada. She was at her peak when she gave up the game,” said APTTA secretary S.M. Sultan, in the letter.
He said Spoorthy could secure a seat on merit while practising her game for more four hours a day and representing the nation continuously in international events during her Intermediate course.
“She is a bright student and she secured distinction in first year MBBS too,” he added. Mr. Sultan, in the letter, said that Spoorthy was a potential player and her stay at Vijayawada, by providing a seat to her in second year MBBS at Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, will enable her to continue the game and her studies, thus, bring laurels to the State.
“She is a high rated played in India and she can participate in more number of national and international events representing Andhra Pradesh and India. She can regain the lost glory once she is shifted to Vijayawada,” Mr. Sultan felt.
APTTA secretary says if Spoorthy is allowed to shift it will enable her to practise the game
