2024-08-22 23:09:26
New Delhi: India’s top paddler Archana Kamath has quit table tennis to pursue her passion for education. The 24-year-old Olympian, who was a key member of India’s women’s team that created history at the Paris Olympics, said her decision was driven solely by her love for studies. “If I have retired from competitive table tennis, it is only and only because of my passion for education. It is not a financial decision but I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from the government and fans,” she told The Indian Express from Michigan (where she is currently studying). Kamath played a key role in India’s team reaching the quarter-finals in Paris, which was a milestone for Indian table tennis.
What did Kamath say next?
Despite a tough loss to Germany, Kamath was the only one to win against the higher-ranked Xiaona Shan. Kamath’s departure raised questions about the financial feasibility of promoting table tennis in India. But she clarified that financial concerns played no role in her decision. Kamath said, ‘I have had a wonderful 15 years with table tennis and there is no greater honour than getting a chance to give my best for my country. It is a wonderful sport that I have been fortunate enough to play for a long time and my love for it continues.’ She emphasised the support she received during her career and appreciated organisations like OGQ, Tops and Indian Oil for supporting her journey. She said, ‘I have neither the right nor the desire to complain on that front – doing so would be extremely unfair to athletes who have really struggled in the absence of support.’