Sharath Kamal eyes administrative role after retirement from table tennis
Achanta Sharath Kamal, a seasoned Indian table tennis player, has expressed his desire to remain involved with the sport post-retirement by taking up an administrative role. Despite a lackluster performance at the Paris Olympic Games, where he faced defeat in the first round of the men's singles event and pre-quarterfinal round of the men's team event, Kamal remains committed to his passion for table tennis. Here are the details.
Kamal to discuss plans with the federation
Kamal has yet to finalize his plans and intends to consult with the federation and his family before making a decision. He stated, "Still haven't decided clearly what will be my roadmap ahead. But, I'll sit down and have a talk with the federation and decide with my family as well about what exactly has to be done ahead." This indicates his intention to continue contributing to the sport in some capacity.
Kamal's potential roles in federation or SAI
Kamal is considering positions within the federation or the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as potential avenues for his post-retirement involvement with table tennis. He stated, "But, I'll be staying around with the game and probably taking up positions in the federation or the SAI and trying to help the sport." This statement underscores his dedication to promoting and improving table tennis in India.
Kamal reflects on his final Olympics performance
Despite his early exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kamal expressed satisfaction with his performance and preparation. He stated, "The only difference was the mindset since I knew it was going to be my last Olympics. I put in everything that I had in Paris." He further added, "Preparation-wise, I did everything possible, and there are no regrets. Overall, really happy with the way I played."
Kamal credits UTT for nurturing young talent
Kamal, who was retained by the Chennai Lions in the upcoming Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) season, praised the league for providing a platform for emerging Indian players to showcase their skills. He said, "These leagues give us the right platform, especially the youngsters, to stand up against the best competition in the world." He believes that such exposure helps young players develop confidence and experience necessary for international competition.
Achanta Sharath Kamal in numbers
With an illustrious career featuring seven Commonwealth Games gold medals, two Asian Games medals, four Olympic appearances, and two ITTF Pro Tour titles, Kamal stands as the most accomplished Indian table tennis player in history. He clinched his first national title in 2003, and went on to win a record-breaking ten national titles. He was conferred with the Arjuna award in 2004 and currently plays for the Chennai Lions in the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT).
