Panchkula, July 4: With their unprecedented performance in Gold Coast this April, the Indian paddlers had not only set a new benchmark but have also raised expectations of their followers to a new height.

Yet, the 11Even Sports National Ranking (North Zone) Table Tennis Championships, beginning at Tau Devi Lal Indoor Stadium here tomorrow, are expected to serve as a precursor to measure the shape and condition of these players as they begin with a new slate before the Jakarta Asian Games in August. What happened in Australia is stuff of the old.

The season-opener normally attracts all top players to it. But two such players—world No. 40 G. Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai, ranked 79—will be missing the event as they are busy playing the Hong Kong Open. However, the new poster girl Manika Batra and Sharath Kamal, the real star that lifted India’s stature in world table tennis, along with the rest of Indian contingent would be on view.

But they get down to action only from the main draw stages of men and women singles which start on the fourth day. They would be a part of the 16 men and eight women seeds, along with eight each in Youth and Junior Boys and Girls, getting direct entry in stage 2.

The absence of Sathiyan and Harmeet has forced the competition department to give Sharath, world No. 43, the top seeding, while Anthony Amalraj getting a slot behind Sharath. Arjun Ghosh and Manava Thakkar, world No. 2 in Junior Boys, joint third. Among women Manika Batra, ranked 81 in the world, is the No. 2 behind national champion Suthirta Mukherjee, who is No. 1.

With back-to-back tournaments—the Central Zone events begin from July 12—the task of paddlers is increasingly becoming difficult as their focus would be to maintain a good national ranking. Any laxity on their part would leave the door ajar for the next claimant to sneak in.

Any season opener is always crucial for players as they begin afresh, barring those regulars who have been competing in international events.  Hence, all participants will be keen to get a good start which can last the full course to garner maximum ranking points and be a part of future Team India. Besides, there is a decent portion of the prize purse, totalling nearly Rs. 6.78 lakh, to be won.

All top players, who are part of Team India today, knew full well that consistency is the key to success. For that to happen, a good outing is a must and it ensures a fierce jostle in each of the 10 sections. Of late, India’s young guns have been doing well and it will be their endeavour to make a mark in thechampionships, paving the way for a secured future.

The popularity of the first tournament of a season can be gauged from the number of entries—1,400 in all—and more than 200 in men singles alone. Every new season also means several new comers to the competitive world of table tennis in Cadet sections, the stepping stone for a bigger achievement.

The six-day championships begin with Cadet and Sub-Junior events, followed by Juniors. The extraordinary number of entries also suggest a hectic scheduling and activities on more tables for 12 to 13 hours at a stretch. Hence, it was not surprising when competition manager, N. Ganeshan, said that he would be using 20 STAG tables along with its flooring. Veteran N.K. Lahiry, who has been named chief referee with K.R. Manjunath as his deputy, will have their hands full. They will, of course, be assisted by 60 Blue Badge, international and national referees.