Paddlers Manika Batra, G Sathiyan Seek Exemption From National Camp Ahead Of Asian Championships; Face Non Selection

India's leading table tennis players G Sathiyan and Manika Batra have sought an exemption from the national federation TTFI for the national camp beginning in Sonepat on Thursday.

India's leading table tennis players G Sathiyan and Manika Batra have sought an exemption from the national federation TTFI for the national camp beginning in Sonepat on Thursday, making them ineligible for selection for the upcoming Asian Championships as per the new rules. Manika wants to continue with her training regimen in Pune while Sathiyan is playing in the Polish league. "I request (the TTFI) to let me continue with the training plan I follow. I would like to prepare well and make a lot of effort (for the upcoming events)," she told PTI. Sathiyan, on his part, said: "I am currently training in Poland with some high quality sparring partners and will be playing some much needed quality matches in the Polish Superliga. And then I will rest and recover for few days in Chennai before heading to Doha for WTT on September 17 followed by Asians at the same place. So, unfortunately will not be able to attend the camp this time." The Asian Championships begin in Doha on September 28 and will be preceded by the WTT Star Contender.