<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s top-ranked <keyword id="20430495" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="table-tennis" source="keywords">table tennis</keyword> player <keyword id="20614713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sreeja-Akula" source="keywords">Sreeja Akula</keyword> entered the <keyword id="22577481" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Round-of-32" source="keywords">round of 32</keyword> with a clinical 4-0 win over Sweden's Christina <keyword id="22577480" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kallberg" source="keywords">Kallberg</keyword> at the <keyword id="20006192" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris Olympics</keyword> here on Sunday. Sreeja, who had created history by becoming the first Indian paddler to win a <keyword id="22155130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WTT-Contender" source="keywords">WTT Contender</keyword> <keyword id="22314061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singles-title" source="keywords">singles title</keyword>, registered a 11-4, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 victory in 30 minutes over the Swede. The Indian had little trouble bagging the first set but was stretched in the second, and her rival continued to do that in the next two sets as well. In the third set, Sreeja and Kallberg went neck-to-neck till 7-5, but the Indian found her bearings just in time to pocket it. Sreeja made the early running in the fourth set, taking a 9-3 lead, but a few unforced errors and a couple of good smashes helped Kallberg narrow the lead to 9-7 and then to 10-8. But a powerful unanswered forehand to the right corner of the table propelled Sreeja to the next round. In the other matches of the day, Manika Batra will face Anna Hursey of Great Britain while veteran <keyword id="20440125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sharath-kamal" source="keywords">Sharath Kamal</keyword> will take on <keyword id="22560951" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deni-kozul" source="keywords">Deni Kozul</keyword> of Slovenia.

Paris Olympics: India's top-ranked table tennis player Sreeja Akula outclasses Kallberg, enters Round of 32

Indian athletes, following their scintillating performance at the <keyword id="70415" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="birmingham" source="Orion">Birmingham</keyword> <keyword id="6354367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="commonwealth-games" source="Orion">Commonwealth Games</keyword>, have started returning home from Birmingham to warm receptions, with the ubiquitous dhols, garlands and bouquets giving the IGI airport a festive look. Among those who have arrived since Monday night include the boxing contingent led by <keyword id="4223810" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="amit-panghal" source="Orion">Amit Panghal</keyword>, the athletics and wrestling teams and the para powerlifters, who returned to their <keyword id="63032" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sports-authority-of-india" source="Orion">Sports Authority of India</keyword> (SAI) base in Gandhinagar. It was a truly memorable return for Deepak Punia and Sakshi Malik and the entire wrestling contingent when it touched down here, with the celebrated grapplers being mobbed the moment they entered the arrival lounge. "Our Dhakad (braveheart) Wrestlers Are Back. <keyword id="771774" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-wrestling" source="Orion">Indian Wrestling</keyword> contingent is back after a spectacular performance at #CommonwealthGames2022. Let's greet them with our wishes &amp; continue to #Cheer4<keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. Welcome back <keyword id="424169" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="champs" source="Orion">Champs</keyword>!" tweeted the Sports Authority of India, with a video of the players at the airport lounge being garlanded by fans. Led by gold medallist pugilist Amit Panghal, the boxing contingent too arrived in the early hours on Monday to a rousing welcome, with SAI tweeting, "Indian Boxing contingent is back home after a splendid display of grit, power, tenacity &amp; determination at #CommonwealthGames2022. Join us in welcoming them with your wishes &amp; continue to #Cheer4India. Welcome back Champs!" The wrestling, boxing and athletics contingents arrived in India around the time the closing ceremony was taking place in Birmingham. The <keyword id="59608" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-olympic-association" source="Orion">Indian Olympic Association</keyword> (IOA) had initially planned to have a top wrestler and a boxer as the flag-bearers during the closing ceremony, but since their events ended early, they boarded the flights back to India. In the event, celebrated India table tennis player <keyword id="6363475" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="achanta-sharath-kamal" source="Orion">Achanta Sharath Kamal</keyword> and boxer Nikhat Zareen did the honours on the closing day. The hockey, badminton and table tennis contingents are expected to return later on Tuesday. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/plea-against-damage-to-the-trees-during-road-construction-delhi-hc-issues-notice/articleshow/93450582.cms">Plea against damage to the trees during road construction; Delhi HC issues notice</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/most-people-have-at-least-two-or-more-unused-phones-at-home-says-survey/articleshow/93451014.cms">Most people have at least two or more unused phones at home, says survey</a>

Dhols, garlands and bouquets for Commonwealth Games winners coming home

<keyword id="22155129" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Archana-Kamath" source="keywords">Archana Kamath</keyword> gave a brief resistance but that was not enough. India lost 1-3 to technically superior Germany in Wednesday's women's <keyword id="20430495" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="table-tennis" source="keywords">table tennis</keyword> team event <keyword id="20288129" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="quarterfinals" source="keywords">quarterfinals</keyword> of the <keyword id="20006192" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Paris Olympics" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Paris Olympics">Paris Olympics</keyword>. Indian table tennis campaign ended with the loss. The Indian duo of <keyword id="20614713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sreeja-Akula" source="keywords">Sreeja Akula</keyword> and Archana lost the opening doubles match 5-11 11-8 10-12 6-11 to the German pair of Yuan Wan and Xiona Shan. Sreeja and Archana were holding the fort till the third game, but they lost it in deuce. Thereafter, they lost the match. In the first singles, star Indian <keyword id="20634482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manika-Batra" source="keywords">Manika Batra</keyword> was not at her best, as she won the first game but lost the next three (11-8 5-11 7-11 5-11) against <keyword id="22703030" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Annett-Kaufmann" source="keywords">Annett Kaufmann</keyword> as Germany took 2-0 lead in the tie. It was at this point that Archana gave India a glimmer of hope, as she held off the Germany charge briefly with a 19-17 1-11 11-5 11-9 win over Xiona Shan in the second singles. But in the third singles, Kaufmann blanked Sreeja 11-6 11-7 11-7 to seal the tie for Germany and book a semifinal berth. On Monday, the Indian women's team comprising Manika, Sreeja and Archana had prevailed over higher-ranked Romania 3-2 in a thrilling tie to enter the quarterfinals. On Tuesday, the Indian men's team led by veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal had suffered a 0-3 loss to mighty China in the pre-quarterfinals. Both Manika and Sreeja had scripted table tennis history by becoming the first Indian players to reach the round of 16 in the individual event at the Olympics. The two, however, could not progress beyond that stage, losing to higher-ranked opponents. The Paris Games marked the first time that India competed in the team event at the Olympics. The men's and women's team events in table tennis were introduced at the 2008 Beijing Games.

India loses to Germany 1-3 in women''s TT team event, Indian campaign ends in Paris Olympics

As the Olympic Games draw to a close, the spotlight not only shines on the athletes competing for glory but also on the transformative role <keyword id="19901571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technology" source="keywords">technology</keyword> has played in shaping modern <keyword id="20010841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sports" source="keywords">sports</keyword> and <keyword id="22746553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="training-methodologies" source="keywords">training methodologies</keyword>. Over the past few years, <keyword id="20142309" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="innovations" source="keywords">innovations</keyword> such as <keyword id="20624226" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wearable-devices" source="keywords">wearable devices</keyword>, <keyword id="22746554" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="performance-analytics" source="keywords">performance analytics</keyword>, and <keyword id="19948295" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="virtual-reality" source="keywords">virtual reality</keyword> have revolutionised how athletes prepare for competition, enhancing their training regimens and optimising performance. The intersection of sports and technology is dramatically altering the landscape. From advanced sensors that track physiological metrics to smart equipment that provide real-time feedback, technology has become an integral part of an athlete's toolkit. "Technology fits like a glove in the macro fabric of the modern-day ecosystem of sports performance analysis. It empowers young athletes and coaches by democratising access to pro-level analysis and tools, which helps nurture grassroots talent and instill a sense of competitiveness by providing insights that were traditionally available only to top-tier athletes," said Sudeep Kulkarni, founder and CEO, Game Theory. The sports industry is increasingly leveraging the power of <keyword id="19904566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="keywords">artificial intelligence</keyword> (<keyword id="19899640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="keywords">AI</keyword>) to transform the way performance is analysed and outcomes are predicted, he said. Athletes can practice against virtual opponents and mimic game circumstances using augmented reality (AR), which aids in developing rapid decision-making under pressure. Stupa Sports Analytics, a sports technology firm based out of Gurugram, recently provided analytics support to the Indian table tennis team at a preparatory camp for the Paris Olympics, which included performance analytics, rally analysis, and AI insights for both players and coaches. "The data helped in articulating strategies to play against the world's best players. Prominent players like Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakker, Manika Batra, Archana Kamath, and Sreeja Akula benefited from these insights, enhancing their preparation and performance," said Megha Gambhir, CEO and co-founder, Stupa Sports Analytics. Augmented Reality (AR) is also enhancing the spectator experience. AR solutions allow fans to access additional information about players and stats during live events. A report from the Capgemini Research Institute revealed that nearly 70 per cent of respondents surveyed (10,000) said that emerging technologies have enhanced their overall viewing experience, both inside and outside the stadium. Emerging technologies are undeniably the future of sports, and at the forefront of this golden era are tech startups. The integration of technology in sports through startups is reshaping how athletes train, compete, and engage with fans. These startups are driving innovation and setting new standards in the sports industry. Founder and general partner at Centre Court Capital, a gaming and sports tech VC, Mustafa Ghouse said sports tech startups are increasingly becoming target sectors for venture capital due to the vast potential for innovation and growth in the sector. "In India, the interest is becoming more pronounced, particularly in niche areas of sports technology. In the last three years, India saw investments of USD 1.2 billion in sports tech. India is also the 3rd largest funded country in sports tech after the US between 2018 through 2022 followed by China," he said. Indian sports tech startups are starting to attract attention from global investors alongside domestic investors, Ghouse added. "The increasing allocation of media rights and the surge in digital consumption of sports content are driving demand for advanced tech requirements. This, coupled with the proliferation of smart devices and internet connectivity, sets a fertile ground for sports tech startups to flourish and draw substantial investment," he said.

Tech innovations, AI changing the game for modern sports, training methodologies

Star couturier <keyword id="19970644" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tarun-tahiliani" source="keywords">Tarun Tahiliani</keyword> is in the eye of the proverbial storm over his <keyword id="21239939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="designs" source="keywords">designs</keyword> for the <keyword id="20287873" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-contingent" source="keywords">Indian contingent</keyword> at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games with epithets such as "pathetic" and "mediocre" being used to describe his creations. As the <keyword id="21679717" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="uniforms" source="keywords">uniforms</keyword> became a talking point on social media platforms and elsewhere too, several people also criticised the designs for becoming a promotion for <keyword id="22604764" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tasva" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tasva" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tasva">Tasva</keyword>, the collaborative label of <keyword id="22604763" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tahiliani" source="keywords">Tahiliani</keyword> and the <keyword id="19907441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aditya-Birla-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Aditya Birla Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Aditya Birla Group">Aditya Birla Group</keyword>. The men's attire, the classic kurta bundi silhouette, had panel detailing in the colours of the national flag, safari pockets, and rolled-up sleeves. The women's saris featured a pre-pleated design for convenience and ease of wear. Their borders featured the panelling in tricolour. They completed the look in gold brocade sneakers. What has not gone down well for some is the way brand logo has been incorporated prominently in the borders of the garments, the fabric used and the fits. Tahiliani's team said he was unavailable for comment when PTI reached out for a response. However, he defended himself in an interview with NDTV when he said he stood by his work and said the opening ceremony was not a couture show. "We wanted the team in the colours of the tricolour as most countries follow their flag and that was visible from afar. It would have been very easy for me to send them in zardozi vests. But it's not appropriate," Tahiliani said. He added that he and his team had only three weeks to prepare the costumes. "I can't weave handloom for 300 uniforms in that time. The shoes were brocade, brocade from Benares," he told NDTV. Tahiliani also slammed "armchair critics" who accused him of charging a heavy sum for crafting these designs. "This was paid for by Tasva. It was not done for a fee, it was done to support our athletes. Asking what I was paid for it just shows their mentality," he added. Among those criticising the designer, who made headlines of another sort entirely when he dressed American reality star Kim Kardashian for the Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding, was former badminton star Jwala Gutta. "The garments which was made for the Indian contingent participating in <keyword id="19933819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympics" source="keywords">Olympics</keyword> this time has been a huge disappointment!! (Especially when the designer was announced I had huge expectations) (sic)" she wrote, without mentioning Tahiliani's name. Gutta argued that not all women know how to wear a sari and that's why the designer should have crafted "pre draped" saris, which are a current trend. "The girls looked uncomfortable the blouse was of bad fit!! And second the colour and the print was so opposite of beautiful Indian!!! There was an opportunity for the designer to display the art of our culture through embroidery or hand paint!! "It was a work of absolute mediocrity and looked shabby!!! I really hope the sports family stops compromising on quality for our sportspersons looks on court and off court!!!! (sic)" Gutta wrote, posting photographs of herself from the 2016 Rio Olympics with fellow badminton players PV Sindhu, Ashwini Ponnappa and tennis star Rohan Bopanna. A user reshared her post and wrote: "Hello Tarun Tahiliani! I have seen better Sarees sold in Mumbai streets for Rs.200 than these ceremonial uniforms you've 'designed'. Cheap polyester like fabric, Ikat PRINT (!!!), tricolors thrown together with no imagination. Did you outsource it to an intern or come up with it in the last 3 minutes before the deadline? Such a disgrace to the rich weaving culture and history of India." There were others who were not too convinced either. Another user said designers for the Mongolia and Sri Lanka contingents did a better job dressing their teams. Others shared videos of the designs as reimagined by AI and wrote Tahiliani's design can be "easily replaced" by technology. One user said the kurtas were "creased", the blouse "poor fitting" and the sari was "not even white". "I don't know what Tarun Tahiliani was thinking while scribbling these pathetic uniforms, did our champions really bad. The women's saree look like 'before' shot in an Ujala Ad. While menswear, it's just looks a bit ..ringard if I may say in spirit of Paris! (sic)" commented another. According to Ashish Mukul, brand head, Tasva, the ceremonial attire for Team India is "crafted with a profound sense of national pride and an aim to balance tradition with modernity". In a statement, Mukul said the garments draw inspiration from the Indian flag, "symbolizing unity, and pride, which is one of the richest ways of representing India". He said the contemporary silhouettes, such as the Bundi jacket and pre-pleated sari, were carefully chosen to ensure "both comfort and functionality" for the athletes. "The fabrics, including cotton and viscose crepe, are selected for their practical and aesthetic qualities, as our athletes would be out in the open for almost 6 hours during the event. The use of Ikat-inspired prints and modern elements is a deliberate choice to reflect modern India. Our intention is to create an attire that represents India's rich heritage and ensure our athletes feel comfortable and confident," he added. Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu, who was one of the flag bearers of the Indian contingent along with table tennis legend A Sharath Kamal, had posted a series of pictures on X ahead of Friday's ceremony. "Paris 2024, flag bearer-one of the greatest honors of my life to hold our country's flag in front of millions," she wrote.

Tarun Tahiliani at centre of controversy over "mediocre" designs for Indian contingent at Olympics

<keyword id="232713" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hangzhou" source="Orion">Hangzhou</keyword> (China), <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s campaign for excellence in the Paris <keyword id="6450929" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="olympic-games" source="Orion">Olympic Games</keyword> next year faces some crucial tests starting from Saturday when the 19th <keyword id="84384" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="asian-games" source="Orion">Asian Games</keyword> officially kick off in Hangzhou, China. India has set itself an ambitious target of achieving medals in double digits for the first time in the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 and the 19th Asian Games not only present an opportunity to assess the preparation of its athletes but also provide Olympic qualification quotas in some sports. Postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept across China last year, the 2022 Asian Games are being conducted within the qualifying period for Olympic Games in all sports and thus provide opportunities for sportspersons to book their berths to France. Indian sportspersons in many sports including men's and women's hockey, table tennis and boxing will get a chance to qualify for the Olympics at Hangzhou. With the Central Government pumping in huge sums to fulfil its dream of Olympic excellence, India is expecting to achieve its best-ever medal haul in the Asian Games at Hangzhou. India's previous best medal haul in the Continental Jamboree has been the 70 medals bagged in Indonesia four years back in 2018. Its campaign spearheaded by the likes of Olympic and World Championship gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, two-time World Champion boxer Nikhat Zareen, Olympic bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain, men's doubles tennis legend <keyword id="12295" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rohan-bopanna" source="Orion">Rohan Bopanna</keyword>, chess champs Koneru Humpy, D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in badminton and table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal, India go into the Hangzhou Asian Games in bullish mood, hoping to challenge the Asian superpowers China, Japan, South Korea and Iran and finish fifth or above. Besides hoping to win its first gold medal since 2014, the Indian men's hockey team will be hoping to clinch a direct berth in the Paris Olympics by winning the gold medal in Hangzhou. The women's hockey team led by goalkeeper Savita Punia has landed in China to not only clinch its berth for Paris 2024 but also bag its first gold medal in the Asian Games since 1982 when women's hockey made its debut in the continental extravaganza. The women's hockey team led by Rajbir Kaur won the title at home in New Delhi and since then India have claimed silver medal twice -- in 1998 and 2018 -- and bronze medal thrice -- in 1986, 2006 and 2014. The team has finished fourth on four occasions. Overall India have won 671 medals in the 19 editions of the Asian Games so far -- 155 gold, 200 silver and 316 bronze medals. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) are hoping to add a substantial chunk of medals to the kitty at Hangzhou and maybe cross the 100-medal mark. Though that may look like a tall order considering the country's best effort so far has been 70 in 2018, it does not sound like an impossible target considering the recent performances by the Indian sportspersons in recent times and the new sports that have been added to the programme here at Hangzhou. India hopes to garner most of its medals from athletics, its bread-and-butter sport at the Asian level, shooting, boxing, wrestling, tennis, rowing and sailing. With esports making its debut as a medal sport in Hangzhou and chess returning to the Games for the first time since 2010, India will also be hoping to bag some medals in badminton, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, wushu and equestrian. The country has sent in a huge Contingent of 921 which includes 655 athletes and 260 coaches and support staff. Competitions have already started in men's and women's football, sailing, rowing, cricket, table tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball. The medal hunt will start on September 24, the day after the Games are officially declared open, with shooters providing the first medal for Another reason for aiming for a rich medal haul at Hangzhou is that India hopes to organise the Asian Games for the third time in the next few years. A rich medal haul at Hangzhou will also boost the country's image and get support for hosting the event for the third time after 1951 and 1982. Can Hangzhou be a stepping stone for Indian sports on way to excelling at Paris 2024 and organising the Asian Games soon? The result will be out on October 8, when the 19th Asian Games will come to a close.

Asian Games: At Hangzhou, India on a quest for excellence and preparing for Paris 2024

By C Shyam Sundar Chennai, Apr 17 () Physical fitness is hardly a concern but the lack of any competitive action has been hard to handle, said veteran TT player Anthony Amalraj as he reflected on how he has coped with the coronavirus-forced lockdown, helped by a hypnotherapist he engaged in 2011. The country's no.4 player is keen to make sure that he remains positive during these testing times so that frustration doesn't get to him and helping his cause is city-based hypnotherapist TK Vadivel Pillai. "It is important to stay physically fit...It is even more important to remain mentally fit and in a positive frame of mind as sportspersons can get frustrated due to lack of activity," Amalraj told . "I am aware of the need to stay positive and have been working with Vadivel Pillai, who conducts classes via video call. It has been a great help and keeps me motivated," he added. Amalraj, who is ranked 100th internationally and is behind A Sharath Kamal (No.31), G Sathiyan (32) and Harmeet Desai (72), was chasing the dream of playing in the Olympics after a team gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. However, the coronavirus pandemic that has shaken the sporting world, has put also his plans on hold. "It is difficult to be not playing now. But it has happened due to the coronavirus, which has brought the world to a standstill. It is important that we stay home and help fight the disease. Though I am not at the table playing, I am practising mentally," the 34-year old Amalraj added. "Once I get back to the table, I am confident I will regain the rhythm in a matter of a few days," he added. Amalraj then spoke about his long-standing association with Pillai. "I used to lose matches from winning positions. I used to get overexcited and this led to me losing when I should have been winning," recalled Amalraj. It was then that he met Pillai through a friend "My game was good but I wasn't mentally strong so I was faltering against top players. Vadivel Pillai advised me on how to approach matches against different players," he said. "Working with him brought about a change in my career and I began to beat the big names more often," Amalraj said, recalling the 2011 national title, which he claimed after beating the seasoned Sharath Kamal no less. Right now, Amalraj said Pillai is helping him stay motivated and focussed. Pillai, on his part, explained the science behind hypnotherapy. ...by relaxing the body and the mind, one can access the subconscious mind. It is in this subconscious mind that new thoughts and beliefs of successfully achieving goals are sown," he explained. "...by a process of repetition it starts to manifest outside as new thought patterns, actions and behaviours come about in their life," he added. Amalraj enjoyed a good start to 2020 and was keen to rise up the rankings after breaking into the top-100 before the pandemic halted his progress. "I did well in the Qatar Open where I was the only Indian to come through the qualifying phase," he pointed out. Pillais aid with Amalraj, his focus is primarily on keeping a check on negative thoughts. "It is tough for professional sportspersons to keep themselves physically and mentally fit during such a break. My training helps Amalraj remove all the negative thoughts, fear and anxiety in the sub-conscious mind," he said. SS PM PMPM

Coping with COVID: long-engaged hypnotherapist helps TT player Amalraj stay positive

By Bharat Sharma New Delhi, May 18 () The Table Tennis Federation of India on Monday sought written consent from its top 16 players to join a training camp after the government allowed sports complexes to open but wary paddlers said they would prefer to wait a while. Most players, including India's leading players Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan, said they were not comfortable travelling anytime soon amid the COVID-19 pandemic. TT camps are held at NIS Patiala, Sonepat and Kolkata. "We were asked to join camp at the end of the month but I feel it is too early for that. Cases continue to rise and travel restrictions are in place. Training can wait until situation improves significantly," world number 31 Sharath, who is based in Chennai, told . "Anyway, all ITTF (international body) activities are suspended till end of June. There is no event planned in the near future. It would be nice for the whole team to be together again but not anytime soon." The players have been confined to their homes ever since the lockdown was enforced almost two months ago. The government on Sunday extended the lockdown till May 31 with more relaxations. Like Sharath, world number 32 Sathiyan is based in Chennai and said he would rather train in his hometown given the current situation. "It is not safe to travel in the given situation. I would prefer to train in Chennai at Raman TTHPC along with my coach (S Raman) and a few sparring partners post the lockdown. "Also, I have a great setup here with the necessary fitness training regime under Ramji Srinivasan (former Indian cricket team trainer). Hope I will get the necessary permission from the authorities," said Sathiyan. TTFI secretary general M P Singh wrote to the players on Monday morning, seeking their availability for the training camp following government's announcement. "We have written to the players (8 men and 8 women) to check their availability for the training camp as early as next week. If they are ready to resume training, we can organise something by next week or end of the month," Singh told . However, with travel restrictions in place, it remains to be seen how willing players assemble at one place. While Sharath and Sathiyan are in Chennai, star women paddler Manika Batra is in Pune. "Since, the government announced the opening of stadiums and complexes, it must have thought about how it would reopen sporting activity in the country. It can only answer on how it plans to assemble the players at one place. Either of the three centres -- NIS Patiala, Sonepat and Kolkata -- will be fine with us," said Singh. The federation has also written to coaches Soumyadeep Roy and Arup Basak on their availability for the camp. **Arjuna Award nomination** Singh also informed that TTFI will be nominating Sanil Shetty, Madhurika Patkar and Sutirtha Mukherjee for the Arjuna Award. "They are our best bets for the award this year. They will soon be sending their application. Since there is still time for application deadline (June 3), more players can also send their applications," Singh added. BS PMPM

TTFI asks players to join training camp following lockdown relaxation, they say it is "too early"

(Eds: Collating relevant stories ) New Delhi, May 18 () The shooting federation got busy firming up its plans, wary paddlers were asked to report for training while the boxing body was consulting team doctors to figure a way forward as Indian sports sought resumption amid relaxation in the continuing COVID-19 lockdown. A day after the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed sports complexes and stadia to open without spectators, National Sports Federations were deliberating ways to facilitate training of at least the Olympic-bound athletes. The lockdown has been extended till May 31. "I'm happy to inform sportspersons and all concerned that sports activities will be conducted in sports complexes and stadia strictly in accordance with MHA guidelines and that of the States in which they are situated," Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted. Questions that dominated the discourse at federations were how would athletes be brought to training complexes amid travel restrictions and how testing for COVID-19 and quarantine be done for those who make it. The body with most money, the BCCI, does not plan to organise training camps for its contracted players despite the clearance but will coordinate with state associations to resume practice at the local level in the fourth phase of the lockdown. Others have, however, got thinking. "I can say that training can start for a minimum of 13 weight categories. In each category, two wrestlers can join the camp," Wrestling Federation of India's Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar told . The wrestling camps are held in Patiala and Sonepat centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The shooting federation said it was already working on a resumption plan given that the sport is individual and ensuring social distancing won't be an issue. "We shall firm up plans to resume athlete training and competitions accordingly soon," National Rifle Association of India Raninder Singh told . The Table Tennis Federation of India sought written consent from its top 16 players to join a training camp but the wary paddlers said they would prefer to wait a while. Most players, including leading ones such as Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan, said they were not comfortable travelling from their base in Chennai anytime soon amid the pandemic. TT camps are held at NIS Patiala, Sonepat and Kolkata. But with flights still not permitted and the Railways conducting only limited operations, the logistical problems have also come to the fore. "How will the top athletes join camps? They are at home right now. Even some coaches have gone home," said a boxing federation official. "The boxers who join back will also have to be tested and then quarantine as well. I think nothing can resume before the lockdown officially ends," he added. The federation officials spent the day conducting online meetings with doctors attached with the elite boxers to chalk out the medical protocol. Nine Indian boxers have qualified for the olympics and they are the ones likely to resume training first. According to the proposed Standard Operating Procedure formulated by SAI, no sparring would be allowed for contact sports for the time being. "That's a given," said the federation official. Hockey India has sent its training plan to SAI for approval. The Olympic-bound men's and women's teams have been based at SAI's Bengaluru centre since mid-March, when the lockdown first came into force. They have talked about being home sick but have largely coped well. Others like the weightlifting body are continuing to wait for fresh instructions from the sports ministry, which has been vigorously advocating a resumption of training for elite athletes by the end of this month. Elimination of low-ventilation change rooms, disinfection of training equipment after every use, and usage of gyms in shifts are some of the measures that the SAI has proposed to counter the COVID-19 threat once training resumes. It has also suggested making the Arogya Setu app mandatory for all athletes and staff, strict social distancing at training venues, use of PPE kits by medical practitioners on duty, and stringent supervision of athletes' health. AT/AH/KHS/BS/SSC/APA/PM PM AH

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