‘Table tennis flourishing in Pakistan’

Qureshi vows to polish youngsters for international events.

KARACHI: Reigning at the number one spot even at 48, national table tennis champion Asim Qureshi believes his next job is to train at least four to five new players and make them strong enough to compete at the international level.

Qureshi has been Pakistan’s top player in the doubles and singles rankings since 1993. He said that in the last few years, he has been forced to work harder than usual to keep up with growing competition.

Qureshi proved his mettle in the national championship last year and also won the Masters Cup title in Karachi earlier this month. Moreover, he has also been selected to represent Pakistan in the World Table Tennis Team Championship 2014 in Japan next month.

While the general perception remains that there is hardly any competition in the country when it comes to table tennis, the veteran feels that new players coming from Punjab have the potential to replace him in the future.

“It’s not easy to be number one, I’ve had to work hard to stay here since 1988,” Qureshi told The Express Tribune.

“Table Tennis is the world’s second fastest sport after ice hockey; it requires hard work, including at least eight hours of training every day. I have to hit the ball at least 100 times per minute while practising or else I feel that I’m not quick enough.”

‘Sport needs more attention’

Qureshi emphasised that dedicated work on the grass-roots level is needed and that the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) should send players to more international tournaments.

“Karachi’s Tabish Inam was really impressive during the Masters Cup this month, but he doesn’t have anyone to look up to. Comparatively, the universities in Punjab hold tournaments from time to time so the situation is better there.”

He further said that the sport has gained popularity over the years but Pakistan is lagging behind in new techniques.

“In Pakistan, the sport is not dead yet but it needs to evolve. The international rules have changed, the game has become quicker, but these new techniques haven’t been introduced to local players.

“For example, back-hand drive is a new technique that players all over the world use in the international events. I want my players to learn this.

“I can confidently say that I will produce at least four to five new world-class players for Pakistan through coaching in the next two years,” concluded Qureshi.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2014.

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