Diya in World Cadet Challenge team

 

New Delhi: Twelve-year-old Diya Parag Chitale from Mumbai has been selected for the 2015 ITTF World Cadet Challenge to be held at Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheik from October 23 to 31.

 

The Indian girl’s selection into the squad was a foregone conclusion after she won a bronze in the ITTF World Hopes Week and Challenge held at Shanghai, a couple of weeks ago.

 

Four boys and four girls have been selected on the basis of their performance at the World Hopes Week and Challenge. Though the winners of boys’ and girls’ singles gained automatic selection, the selection of three players each in the two sections was based on coaches’ evaluation at Shanghai and results at the Challenge tournament (65 points). For evaluation purposes, speed and strength, ability to spin the ball, mental strength, training, potential and adaptability in match situations and attitude.

 

At the Challenge tournament, the players were allocated points which were translated into a percentage, the winner of each of the boys’ singles and girls’ singles events receiving the maximum of 35 percent of the total points.

 

All the boys and girls will undergo a 14-day training camp at a venue prior to their travelling to Sharm El-Sheik. In addition, all the Hopes team members will get to train for three days under the Swede great, Peter Karlsson, at Sharm El-Sheikh, before the main event begins on October 23.   

 

The Table Tennis Federation of India rewarded the Mumbai girl for her excellent run on the international circuit since February 2015—she has collected an impressive 11 medals (five gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals).  

 

The World Hopes activity is limited to 16 girls and 16 boys, with Asia getting three places.