Table Tennis sensation Manika Batra will not be part of the national camp which is expected to start from this month. This news was confirmed by Table Tennis Federation of India Secretary-general MP Singh on Tuesday.
Speaking to ANI He said ” She has already informed us that she will not join the upcoming national camp in SAI campus at Bengaluru and she will continue to practice in Pune, where she has been since the lockdown was imposed” .
As her decision is also valid as she belongs to that category of athletes who falls under TOPS section ( Target Olympics Podium Scheme) so she has full right to decide where she wants to train. The added advantage that athletes falling in TOPS category receive that they directly coordinate with SAI. As Manika will not be a part of the upcoming national camp which means only 3 women’s player out of 8 will be taking part in the camp.
Due to her amazing performances for India in last few years and for her contribution in the field of Table Tennis she was recently conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
MP Singh also revealed that all the male players have not shown their willingness to join the camp.
“Anthony Amalraj and Sharath Kamal Achanta have shown their willingness to join the camp so have two other players.We are confident in the men’s team we will have 5 players for the camp hopefully” MP Singh said.
