India’s main desk tennis participant Harmeet Desai feels he has been “unfairly” overlooked of the singles pageant for the impending Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Harmeet, a very powerful member of the Indian desk tennis group over the past 10 years, has been picked within the Asian Games squad however will most effective function in group and blended doubles occasions.
Veteran Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan had been picked forward of Desai for the singles pageant as most effective two entries are allowed.
“It is going to be my third Asian Games and as per the selection criteria, which includes both domestic and international performances, I should be playing singles as well and not just team and doubles,” Harmeet instructed PTI.
The 29-year-old from Surat on Tuesday changed into the highest-ranked Indian at the again of a productive remaining month when he reached the semifinals of the WTT Contender in Lagos and pre-quarterfinals within the WTT Contender in Tunis.
He additionally beat two top-20 gamers alongside the best way. He is now ranked 64 forward of Sharath (69) and Sathiyan (88).
However, when the group used to be picked on June 27, Desai (71) used to be at the back of Sharath (54) and Sathiyan (60) within the ITTF ratings.
As in line with the choice standards of Table Tennis Federation of India, 50 p.c weightage is given to home performances, 40 p.c to world and 10 p.c is left for selectors’ discretion.
TTFI secretary common Kamlesh Mehta stated the verdict of the choice committee used to be unanimous and gamers have been picked for the singles match as in line with the world ratings on the time of alternative.
“It was a unanimous call taken by the selectors who factored in the world rankings at the time of selection,” stated Mehta, himself a former India participant and Arjuna awardee.
The time limit to put up participant entries to the Indian Olympic Association used to be June 30 and July 15 for sending them to the Olympic Council of Asia.
Another federation legitimate who’s monitoring the subject stated the present alternative coverage is in position for selecting the squad and entries for particular person occasions are despatched as in line with the world ratings.
Harmeet’s house state affiliation of Gujarat has additionally written to TTFI expressing its sadness over the participant’s non-selection for the singles match.
“The current non-selection of Harmeet Desai coupled with his omission in CWG 2022 men’s Singles event disregarding his ranking and performance has jolted him and has come as a shocker for us at the State Association,” Pramod Chaudhary, president of Gujarat State Table Tennis Association, stated within the letter dated July 9.
“Harmeet, who is in his prime form, is bound to put in his superlative efforts and performance representing the country and disregarding all the positives at this stage would be a big dampener.
“As in line with the tips, the remaining date for sending entries by means of Indian Olympic Association to Organizing Committee of Asian Games is fifteenth July, 2023.
“Hence, we hope that the selection of players done can be amended and players can be selected based on their current rankings and performances,” he additional added.
Harmeet, Sharath and Sathiyan have been a part of the Asian Games squad that made historical past on the earlier version in Jakarta the place India ended a 60-year look forward to a medal by means of securing a bronze within the group match.
Sharath and Manika Batra made the marketing campaign extra memorable by means of securing a bronze in blended doubles.
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games remaining 12 months, a couple of Indian gamers together with Manush Shah, Archana Kamath, Swastika Ghosh and Diya Chitale had approached the courtroom after now not being picked within the India squad. Only Chitale controlled to get TTFI’s determination overturned.
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