The top Indian table tennis players will soon have a head coach, after a gap of six long years, Italy’s Massimo Costantini, as per a report in the PTI. Costantini is an old Team India coach, and was last associated with the team from 2016-2018, with his first stint coming in 2009-2010.
The veteran saw India win their first-ever table tennis medal at the Asian Games. As per an official of the TTFI, the Italian could be in for a long haul, starting just a few month before the Olympics, with the Sports Authority of India working on a four-year deal.
India Table Tennis Coach
Meanwhile, it is also understood that three more foreign names were under contention, but Costantini emerged as the front-runner. “The SAI could approve Max’s appointment as early as next week. The Olympics are not far away and the sooner he joins the team the better. He is liked by all the players and that should work in his favour,” said the official.
With the Indian men’s and women’s teams having qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics already, after their pre-quarters appearances in the World Championships, they are now expected to train in Asia and Europe.
“The preparation will involve both training and competition and the players could have a camp in China and Korea before shifting their base to Europe closer to the Olympics,” the official added.
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