1 week ago
Harmeet Desai Targets 2028 Olympics Mixed-Team Medal Opportunity
Harmeet Desai is an Indian table tennis player.
He thinks India may have a better chance to win an Olympic medal in 2028.
This is because table tennis will include a new mixed-team format.
In this format, players from different events will compete as a team.
Harmeet says India’s men’s and women’s players are improving.
He also believes the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat could bring better sports facilities.
More facilities could encourage young people to play sports.
He says Indian table tennis has improved because players now have coaches, trainers, and more chances to compete internationally.
Harmeet Desai says the new mixed-team format at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics could give India a strong medal opportunity.
He cited progress in Indian men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Desai said India could aim to reach the medal round by 2028.
He welcomed the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat, saying they could improve infrastructure and sports participation.
He attributed Indian table tennis’ rise to professional support teams, corporate involvement, financial backing, and more international tournaments.
- Who
- Indian table tennis player Harmeet Desai and India’s table tennis teams.
- What
- Desai discussed India’s medal prospects in the new mixed-team Olympic format and the potential sporting impact of the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat.
- Where
- The Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, while the proposed Commonwealth Games would be held in Gujarat; Desai also discussed facilities in Ahmedabad.
- When
- Ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics; the proposed Commonwealth Games are planned for 2030.
- Why
- Desai believes India’s progress across table tennis events, along with better training, funding, infrastructure, and international competition, could improve its results.
Key facts
- Olympic event
- A new mixed-team table tennis format is planned for the 2028 Olympics.
- India’s target
- Harmeet Desai said India can aim to reach the medal round by 2028.
- Proposed 2030 event
- The Commonwealth Games have been proposed for Gujarat.
- Sports facility cited
- Desai highlighted the Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
- Player support
- Indian players increasingly work with personal coaches, sparring partners, physiotherapists, physical trainers, and dietitians.
- Tournament schedule
- Desai said players may compete in 18–20 international tournaments each year.
- Ranking system
- He noted that table tennis world rankings are updated weekly.
Quotes
Harmeet Desai
Indian table tennis player, Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient
“So in this team event, there will be matches for each event. So this is going to be a very good format for India. And definitely men's singles, women's singles, mixed doubles, men's doubles, women's doubles. In all these events, India is improving every year. So by 2028, we can definitely aim for a good performance and reach the medal round.”
thehansindia.com
“This time there will be a new format in the 2028 Olympics which has never happened before. Mixed team. This time the mixed team format is definitely a good opportunity for the Indian team because our women's team is also good. Mixed doubles are good. Men's doubles are good.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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