New Delhi: 'The Indian paddlers’ exploits over a sustained period of time has come in for praise from various quarters, including their peers. No doubt, we are way off from what the superpowers like China, Japan, Korea or Hong Kong have achieved. Yet, there is no denying the fact that the graph of Indian table tennis is definitely on the rise. 

But the formula of this success story is not of an instant variety.  It is the result of some ticking brains in the TTFI which, with the help of sports ministry, has been constantly devising training-cum-competition initiatives throughout the year. And that is what has created a strong base-the junior events-and a pool of talented youngsters.

To help them hone their skills and gain in experience, it is necessary for the players to participate in tournaments all the time, even if it means competing sometimes with weak opponents. Without a doubt, there is a gainsaying in such prospects, for they provide you with bigger opportunities to brush shoulders with the superpowers in Asian Junior and the World Junior championships.

One such avenue is the South Asian Federation Junior Table Tennis Championships-to be hosted jointly this time by the Meghalaya Table Tennis Association and the state government at Shillong. The event, to be held between June 17 and 19, will see seven teams from the region-India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives-vying for the top two slots  in the junior sections.

The SAF meet is considered an important qualifying event as only the top two teams will be able to book their seats to Jiangyin (China) for the Asian Junior Table Tennis championships to be held between July 11 and 15. This is the opening that most teams will want to use to sneak into the World Juniors which will be held at Hyderabad later this year. 

However, for the Indians, who have a direct entry into the Hyderabad World Juniors as hosts, the Meghalaya meet will help secure spots in the Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships. 

The Meghalaya association is upbeat about hosting the championships which will see 14 (7 boys and 7 girls) participants from each country. “The chief minister of the state has extended full support to host the event and we are looking forward to receiving the guests,” said R.G. Lyngdoh, president of the MTTA. 

Announcing this, Meghalaya Table Tennis  Association president R G Lyngdoh said, "The Table Tennis Federation of India has consented to have Meghalaya host the championship scheduled from June 17-19."

Incidentally, Meghalaya will be the first North Eastern state to host such a prestigious international event. 

A view of the multipurpose Indoor Stadium at JN Sports Complex, Polo Hills, Shillong, where the event will be conducted