Commonwealth Games 2022: Indian Table Tennis Players Rue Absence Of Sports Psychologist In CWG Support Staff

Vartak, a former badminton player, was on the long list (published on TTFI website) of players and support staff for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games beginning July 28 but has not made the final squad.

Sharath Kamal, arguably India's finest player ever, reigning national champion Sreeja Akula and Reeth Rishya told PTI that Vartak's presence in the contingent would have made a big difference.

“The 33% rule has made it difficult to have all the support we need. For me personally, the mental coach could be of great help - given the pressure and the expectations of the Games,” Kamal, who will be featuring in his fifth CWG, told PTI.

“Had approached SAI with a request but could not find a place for more support staff.” As per the guidelines, up to 33 percent of the athletes count make up the support staff but it is not strictly followed. It has not been followed in table tennis' case as well.

For eight players, six members will be travelling to Birmingham as part of the support staff, including two national coaches S Raman and Anindita Chakraborty, Manika Batra's personal coach Chris Adrian Pfeiffer, masseur Harmeet Kaur, physio Vikash Singh and team manager S D Mudgil, who is a member of the High Court-appointed Committee of Administrators running the TTFI.

Men's national coach Raman also happens to be the personal coach of star player G Sathiyan. Mental conditioning coach Vartak had worked with the Indian team at the national camp in Bengaluru in May.

“I have been working personally with Gayatri for the last eight months and it has helped me a lot. She was also there when I won my maiden national title. In a big event like CWG, a mental coach can only be beneficial,” said Sreeja.

Her teammate Reeth added: “Having a mental trainer with you helps a lot in pressure situations which we are expected to face at the Commonwealth Games. I hope there is still a way and we can take her to Birmingham.”

CoA member Mudgil thanked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for accommodating most of their requests in the final list. “We are thankful to IOA for approving the majority of our support staff. We had written to the IOA for the mental coach as well but there were restrictions and we understand that,” said Mudgil.

IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta said all national sports federations must consult the players before sending the list to the apex sports body for approval. “I am not talking specifically on table tennis. All federations must talk to the players before forwarding us the list, which doesn't happen at times. The athletes' interests are paramount,” Mehta told PTI.