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Table tennis players work hard ahead of C’wealth Games


Published : 28 Apr 2022 10:05 PM

Table tennis players have been working hard to become competent enough to participate in the Commonwealth and the Islami Solidarity Games to be held in Birmingham and Turkey respectively. 

The Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in July 28 to August 8 and the Islami Solidarity Games will be held in September. 

Hasssan Munir, general secretary of the Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) and coach Mohammed Ali while talking to the Bangladesh Post on Thursday informed that they started the practice right from January 2022. 

Munir said, “We have 12 players in the practice camp and six of them, four men and two women, will participate in the Commonwealth Games. The players are under an Indian and a local coach and both of them are qualified.”

“Almost each and every day I visit the practice venue, boys and girls working hard, they are very much attentive and sincerely focusing on their practice. I am happy to watch their sincerity and passion,” Munir said. 

“You know Table Tennis team is going to Commonwealth Games not with ‘open allocation’ but we qualified for the Games securing 20th place out of 42 in the Asian Championship Table Tennis Championship held in Doha, Qatar last year,” Munir informed. 

However, Mohammed Ali, local coach who has been looking after the team for a long told the Bangladesh Post that other than some problems at the alternative venue at the NSC Tower, their practice has been going on in full swing.

Mohammed Ali also echoed with the GS of the BTTF as he said, “Players are working hard and they are very much committed and sincere to their practice.” 

“During Ramadan, from 1st to 24 we continue practice session from 8pm to 3am with a half an hour interval. Players are very much devoted to their practice.”

Mohammed Ali replying to a query said, “As our central venue, Shaheed Tajuddin Indoor Stadium is under renovation, now we are practicing at a temporary venue at NSC Tower. But here the space is not enough, we set only two tables. Now, there are 12 players, Commonwealth and Islami Solidarity Games’ teams and upcoming South Asian Junior Champions (to be held in Maldives from first of May), team are practicing, so two tables are not at all sufficient.”  “But despite the problem, we have been continuing practice without any break.”

About their expectation with both the Games, Mohammed Ali said, “I think the Commonwealth Games is a mini-Olympic, world class performers of all events from all participants countries take part here, to be honest our main object would be to do a respectable result.” 

“I think we have opportunity to do something better in the Islami Solidarity Games. But right now I don’t like to say anything, it is too early to say but I believe we have good prospect to earn something in the Islami Solidarity Games,” Mohammed Ali, former table tennis player detailed all.