India’s leading table tennis player Manika Batra has ended her association with Delhi-based childhood coach Sandeep Gupta and will now train in Pune with Sanmay Paranjape.
While both Batra and Gupta were unavailable for a comment to PTI on the split, TTFI secretary MP Singh confirmed the development.
“In the Target Olympic Podium Scheme meeting held on March 18, Manika conveyed her decision to the committee. It is a personal decision and we wish her all the best,” Singh told PTI.
Gupta confirmed the development to the Hindu, saying, “She told me she wanted to move on and train with a different coach. I wished her the very best, as always.”
Batra started training at Gupta’s academy in Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh as an eight-year-old and their association comes to end after more than 15 years.
The 23-year-old paddler made history last year by winning as many as four medals at the Commonwealth Games including a singles gold. At the Asian Games, Batra and veteran Sharath Kamal almost did the unthinkable by clinching a mixed doubles bronze.
The Indian men’s team too finished with a historic bronze at the Jakarta Games, ending India’s 60-year wait for a medal at the continental event.
TTFI secretary also confirmed that Canadian Dejan Papic will join the Indian team as head coach by July, added the report in PTI. The players are without a coach since the departure of Massimo Costantini following the Asian Games.
“We have got the necessary approval from SAI, he should be here by July,” added Singh.