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Table Tennis players optimistic on Asian Games
"We rate the Asian Games gives much more tougher competition in TT than at the World Cup because of presence of some top asian nations like China and Korea.
"But the rigorous practice for past two years for CWG preparations made us tough, fitter and tremendously helped us to improve quality of our play," the Silver medalists, Poulami Ghatak and Mouma Das said.
The duo, who lost in the final to Singapore, said they were happy with the silver and still cherished the idea beating England in the semifinals.
They said the crowd support in Delhi helped them to improve the team spirit to do something for the country and altogether the four medals in TT were the best ever trophies in the CWG.
India won a gold in Men's double comprising Subhajit Saha and Sharat Kamal, silver in Women's team event, bronze in Men's team combining Soumyadip Roy and Subhajit Saha, and Poulamy Ghatak partnering with Mouma Das won another bronze in women's doubles.
Soumyadeep Roy, who had undergone knee surgery two years ago, showed a glimpse of his fighting spirit as he scripted a 4-3 win over Australia's William Henzell, also echoed Poulami and Mouma's version of rigorous practice made them fitter to beat some world class players in the Delhi games.
He said he was disappointed of not playing the semifinal against England and the third place play-off match with Nigeria. He played only one match. "It was a team management decision. And I went by it," the Arjuna awardee said.
The trio said they were initially depressed with the media reports about the CWG fate and had even apprehension if at all the games would take place as they reached Delhi on September 17.
"But as they entered the village on September 24 it was really fabulous and wonderful experience," Poulami Ghatak, who is also an Arjuna awardee, said during a felicitation organised by the West Bengal Table Tennis Association at Calcutta Sports Journalists Club (CSJC).
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who is also the president of WBTTA, state sports minister Kanti Ganguly and city Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty lauded their achievements and said the winners must get proper attention so that future generation could be benefited by their experiences.
Image via Wikipedia
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