Paris Olympics: We have the ability to beat any team, says table tennis star Harmeet Desai

Having played an important role in helping India clinch Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2018 and 2022, star Indian pdler Harmeet Desai believes that Indian team has ability to upset any team at Paris Olympics and insisted that team’s preparation was well on track to perform at ir optimum best in French capital.

Indian table tennis contingent created history earlier this year when both men’s and women’s teams qualified for Olympics for first time and preparatory camps, in Bengaluru from June 7-16 and in Saarbrucken, Germany earlier this month, were focused on working out perfect combinations for team events at Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.

“On a given day, I think we really have a very good chance of beating any team. We have won against top teams in world in past and it is possible this time also if we give our best. In Olympics, if all three of us can put on best show n anything is possible,” 31-year-old said during an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis.

Desai is part of Indian men’s team along with Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran. He will also be competing in individual events.

Desai’s confidence stems from fact that Indian men’s team h defeated mighty Japan in quarter-finals to clinch bronze medal at 2018 Asian Games.

Speaking about rise of Indian table tennis on world stage, Desai credited central government’s various schemes and launch of Ultimate Table Tennis in 2017 for development of sport.

“UTT has helped us get more experience and exposure to play with international players and get guidance from foreign coaches. That was not case before 2017. So, this kind of experience has helped players get more self-belief and perform well in international arena,” he said.

Indian men’s team will face China in opening round while women’s team will open ir campaign against Romania. individual events will be played from July 27 to August 4 whereas team events are scheduled from August 5 to 10.

After Paris Olympics, India’s representatives at Games and upcoming talent from country will rub shoulders against each or and some international stars in IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis 2024, scheduled to take place in Chennai from August 22 to September 7.