Speaking in an exclusive interview, Harmeet said the Indian men\u2019s team, comprising Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, G. Sathiyan and Payas Jain along with himself, is well balanced and capable of producing strong performances against the continent\u2019s top teams.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn the Asian Games, I, Manav Thakkar, Manush Ji, Satyan and Payas Jain are in the men's team. The team is well balanced with experience and youth. We are a very strong team,\u201d Harmeet told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian team has already shown that it can compete with some of the strongest sides in the world, and Harmeet believes the key will be to perform collectively when the opportunity arrives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have performed well in the Asian Games when we have beaten top teams. We will try to perform well against strong teams in the Asian Games as a team. On a given day, when our form is good, we have beaten good teams. \u201cWe will try to win a medal this time as well,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harmeet also pointed to the regular exposure Indian players are getting against top Asian opposition through international tournaments as an important factor behind the team\u2019s growing confidence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe play with Japan, Chinese, Koreans on a regular basis. Whether it is a contender tournament, star contender or smash. So now we are quite used to playing against them. And we have to do that training in the same way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Olympian revealed that he also trains extensively in Germany under Chinese coach Fu Yong, which has helped him understand and adapt to the techniques used by some of the world\u2019s leading players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI train a lot in Germany under my coach, Fu Yong, who is a Chinese coach. So I go to train under him. Then every player has his own team because of which he trains.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo I think we have quite gotten used to their techniques. And we have also bettered our style of play. So definitely we are well prepared for this Asian Games,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harmeet said the Indian players have also benefited from the changing professional structure around the sport, with athletes now having access to specialised support teams.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere are a lot of multiple factors. There is more professionalism in table tennis. Everyone has their own team, personal coaches, sparring partners, physiotherapists, physical trainers, and dietitians. So this did not happen before. 5-6 years ago, everyone did not have a personal team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to Harmeet, increased government support, corporate investment and regular leagues have also contributed to the rise of Indian table tennis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo there have been a lot of improvements. And everyone's attitude has changed a lot. Financial support from the government has increased a lot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to Harmeet, increased government support, corporate investment and regular leagues have also contributed to the rise of Indian table tennis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Indian table tennis in the Asian Games has evolved from decades of struggle against East Asian powerhouses into a breakthrough era. India won their first-ever medals in 2018 when the men's team won historic bronze and Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra also added a second Bronze medal. In the 2022 Asian Games, Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee also secured a historic bronze medal in the women's doubles event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n