Indian table tennis legend Sharath Kamal has recently been honoured with an ambassadorial role by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The prestigious title was conferred in the presence of Her Highness Zeina Shaban, Princess of Jordan and a two-time Olympian, and Vita Dani, Chairperson of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league. Both Shaban and Dani are prominent board members of the ITTF Foundation, further emphasizing the significance of this appointment.
Sharath, who has been a stalwart of Indian table tennis, was elected to the ITTF’s Athlete’s Commission in November 2022, and now takes on this new role with great enthusiasm. Reflecting on his responsibilities as an ambassador, Sharath shared his excitement with Sportstar, stating, “It’s a great role to be in. The development of table tennis is one (thing), that’s where the technical aspect comes in. This is (using) table tennis for development. The ‘for development’ makes a lot of difference.”
Sharath has a long-standing commitment to the growth of table tennis, particularly in using the sport as a tool for social development. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked closely with the Madras Seva Sadan, an organization dedicated to teaching underprivileged children the sport.
He believes that table tennis can provide these children, many of whom are from families of daily-wage laborers, with a much-needed “sense of direction” in life.
Regarding his new role with the ITTF, Sharath indicated that it would involve some travel and participation in various events. “I’ll be there at the events more as an ambassador, playing a little bit of table tennis,” he explained, highlighting the blend of advocacy and sport that his new responsibilities will entail.
Despite the honour of his new role, Sharath’s season as the captain of Chennai Lions in the ongoing Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league has been a challenging one. The five-time Olympian, who also had the honour of being the male flag-bearer for India at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, candidly admitted to the struggles his team has faced this season.
“It’s been a tough season,” Sharath said with a smile, despite the evident disappointment after a recent loss to Goa. “We’ve been losing a lot of close matches. That adds a lot of pressure. The mixed doubles yesterday was quite a disappointment. Let’s see, we have one match to go,” he remarked, expressing hope for a strong finish.
At 42 years old, Sharath Kamal remains a towering figure in Indian table tennis, holding the record for the most medals won by any player in the sport’s history at the Commonwealth Games. His illustrious career includes 13 medals, with three golds and a silver from the 2022 Birmingham Games being the most recent additions to his collection.
As Sharath embarks on this ambassadorial journey with the ITTF, his focus remains on fostering the development of table tennis globally, while also hoping to navigate the current challenges of his competitive season. His dual role as a player and an ambassador shows his enduring dedication to the sport, both on and off the table.
