New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian table tennis star and Arjuna Awardee Harmeet Desai believes the introduction of the mixed team event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics could give India a strong opportunity to challenge for a medal.
The Olympian said India’s steady progress across men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles has strengthened the country’s prospects ahead of the Games.
“This time there will be a new format in the 2028 Olympics which has never happened before. Mixed team. This time the mixed team format is definitely a good opportunity for the Indian team because our women’s team is also good. Mixed doubles are good. Men’s doubles are good,” Harmeet told IANS.
He said the format, which will feature matches across different disciplines, could work in India’s favour as the country continues to improve across events.
“Men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles. In all these events, India is improving every year. So by 2028, we can definitely aim for a good performance and reach the medal round,” he added.
Harmeet also welcomed the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat, saying the hosting of a major multi-sport event could accelerate the development of sporting infrastructure and encourage greater participation.
“When there is such a big event, the entire sports ecosystem changes. And because of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Gujarat, the infrastructure, financial spending towards players, giving exposure, bringing foreign coaches, and many other things change,” he said.
He cited the Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, where he recently competed, as an example of the infrastructure being developed in the country.
“I got to know about the facilities and how many different sports arenas were there. It feels very good to know that such sports stadiums are in India, with all the facilities, world-class facilities,” he said.
Harmeet said more such facilities should be developed before the 2030 Games to increase youth participation and competition in the state.
He also attributed the recent rise of Indian table tennis to greater professionalism, financial support, corporate involvement and regular international competition. Players now increasingly have access to personal coaches, sparring partners, physiotherapists, physical trainers and dietitians, he said.
The increased participation in international tournaments has also helped Indian players improve their world rankings.
“The World Rankings are updated every week. The pressure has increased today. You have to catch up with other players on a weekly basis,” Harmeet said, adding that Indian players now regularly compete in Contender, Feeder, Smash and Star Contender events.
He said players need to participate in around 18-20 tournaments a year and noted that Indian paddlers’ world rankings have improved considerably as a result.
FOLLOW NOW
