Siblings Sahil, Simran serving it hot and crisp
Sunny Kaul
Tribune News Service
Mohali, December 26
He barely reaches the table tennis table but that does not stop seven-year-old Sahil Rawat from knocking off the opponents nearly twice of his age. “He is just seven, but he surprises players twice his age,” says table tennis coach Sudarshan Masare.
“He has won all the titles in the U-10 category and is better than some of the players in the sub-junior category. He may not be able to win against some of the older players, but gives them a run for their money,” Masare adds.
The budding paddler, who hones his skills at the Sector 78 Sports Complex, under the watchful eyes of Masare and Senior PIS coach and Dronacharya Awardee Bhawani Mukherji, is not the only one in his family who is adept at ping pong. His 14-year-old sister, Simran, is equally good and is rated highly by both Masare and Mukherji.
“She still has a year to play in the sub-junior category. Though she has a lot to learn yet, she’s showing a lot of promise, and is a keen learner,” says Masare. “You will see her rise in the coming years,” adds Mukherji.
Simran’s father Satinder Singh works as a driver with Saupin’s School while her mother Saroj is a homemaker. “We have never stopped them from playing. In fact, we are always there to support them and we will keep doing that till we can,” says Saroj.
Simran recently competed in the nationals at Goa and Andhra Pradesh and her mother accompanied her to both the events.
“I was there with her in Goa and Andhra Pradesh. I just tell her to focus on the game,” Saroj adds. Asked if money was a constraint, Saroj replied in the affirmative, but was quick to add: “Some things should be left to God.”
Simran, who is a Class VII student at Saupin’s School, picked up the sport while watching her peers play. “I developed interest in the sport while watching my schoolmates play. After that my father took me to a coaching centre where I trained under Sudershan sir. He really worked hard on me, and it is because of his efforts that I have managed to reach this level.”
Asked about her experience in the Nationals, Simran said: “It was a good exposure. It gave me a feel of the competition at the national level, and also made me understand where I stand right now and what I need to achieve.”
Who is your favourite player? “Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan,” Simran was quick in her response. Why? “He is just 13 and beat Achanta Sharath Kamal (in the Indian Open).” “He inspires me to strive for greater heights. If he can, why can’t I.”
Sahil, though, holds himself as his favourite. “He is too good in his age group and can only improve from here on,” says Mukherji.
