CHENNAI: After last year’s stint with TSG Kaiserslautern in the lower rungs of the German Bundesliga, G Sathiyan has his next course of action planned. Klub Sportowy Gwiazda in the Polish Superliga has offered the Indian paddler a chance to take part from August.
This foreign exposure has helped the Chennai player raise his stock at the ITTF India Open in New Delhi. Sathiyan won all three qualifying matches by an identical margin of 4-0 to book his berth in the main draw.
“The state of table tennis in the country is still not up to scratch. My coach (S) Raman advised me to go abroad so that I could get exposed to the various styles of play and, in the process, pick up certain aspects that would help me in the long run,” Sathiyan told Express.
A Superliga season comprises of 22 matches, however, due to national and domestic commitments, the World No 114 will be playing seven matches.
After failing to make the Rio Olympics team, Sathiyan has worked hard on mental conditioning and physical fitness. “You have to use failure as a springboard to success. Raman sir has helped me a lot to overcome my problems,” he added.
Sathiyan had won the Belgium Open last year, becoming the first Indian since A Sharath Kamal annexed the Egypt Open in 2012.
With India hosting an ITTF event after seven years, Sathiyan feels more such events will help the country make its mark on the global stage. “If the event is held annually, and with the advent of the Indian Table Tennis League, overseas players will feel comfortable and decide to visit.”
Regarding his own form, the paddler is feeling confident. “My victory in the Belgium Open last year has given me a lot of confidence when it comes to playing against foreigners. I’m hopeful of beating a few seeded players and if I make it through to the quarters there is nothing like it.”
Sathiyan also thanked the Table Tennis Federation of India for conducting the nationals with the DHS balls instead of the seamless balls prevalent before. “The move helped the players adjust to the varying speed of the new ball. Since the nationals were held very close to the event, it was a welcome move.”
Regarding the future, Sathiyan wants to make sure he represents the country in the 2017 Commonwealth Games. “The Asian Championship will be a big test. The CWG is my aim. Breaking into the top 80 is my target.”
ayantan@newindianexpress.com