Experienced table tennis player Sharat Kamal believes that Indian table tennis requires a clear system to help young talents move forward successfully at the senior level. Although recent results have been encouraging, 43 -year -old Sharat says that only talent is not sufficient without a system promoting long -term development.

Sharat told ‘PTI video’, “We can’t depend on one or two stars, we need a structure that continuously prepare the champion.” He said, “Young talents are many but the main problem is of change … until we adopt the right system, we will not see the junior champion becoming senior champions.”

India won three bronze medals at the 2024 Asian Championships in which Ayhika and Satirtha Mukherjee won the historic first medal in the women’s doubles while the women’s team event also got the first bronze medal. At the Paris Olympics, the women’s team reached the quarter -finals for the first time and defeated the world number four Romanian team in the pre -quarterfinals. Both Manika Batra and Shreeja Akula were able to make it to the pre -quarterfinals in single matches.

Sharat said, “The real challenge is of consistency. One medal should be two and will have to increase to five or six. ”According to Sharat, this continuity will come from a systematic plan which should start with children aged 11 years. He said, “Looking at 2036, we have to start with children who are currently 11 or 12 years old. We are all trying in this direction. I hope we will see a systematic change soon. ”

Sharat, Deputy Chairman of the Player Commission of Indian Olympic Association, Sharat also praised the new Sports Bill which has a framework for players. On the anti -doping provisions of the bill, Sharat pointed to a very important change.

He said, “This time not only the players will be punished, but the coaches and other involved people will also get punishment. Often the player is caught while others stay without investigation. Now this change will happen.