MSL gives exposure to players

Table-tennis player, Madhurika Patkar couldn’t play the first edition of Mumbai Super League because she lived in Thane. But her marriage to Mulund based former national player Omkar Torgalkar meant she became Mumbai resident and could participate in the second edition organised by 11SPORTS’. But now it hardly matters as Thane players were also allowed to play in the district level tournament MSL from the last edition.

“Before marriage I was in Thane so I couldn’t play MSL as it was for Mumbai district players only. After marriage I was like ‘yay’ I will be able in the MSL as I shifted my home to Mulund. My husband had played MSL in first edition and I was excited to play in second edition as it is team event and includes all categories cadets, juniors, senirors and veterans in the same team. I enjoy playing MSL, it is fun as well as it improves team bonding. It is new format like UTT (Ultimate Table Tennis League) and gives kind of exposure to players,” she said.

Madhurika who became the national champion in 2017 and returned from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia with a team gold medal loves to play in the MSL slated for May 30 to June 2. But it pits her against Omkar which she doesn’t seem to like.

“This will be my third edition of the MSL. I played in 2017 and earlier one. Last time I couldn’t play as I went to Hong Kong. This is a team format, even my husband plays in same league, so I like to play. But I don’t like to play against my husband, as I can’t cheer against him. We have been in other teams and this edition also he is in Kool Smashers and I am in King Pong (franchise). We are in the same group and will be playing against each other in the first stage itself,” she rued.

The ace city TT player whose career has been on the upsurge in last couple of years believes MSL games bring pressure also. “UTT is national and international league where there are top ranked players. I am an underdog there. In MSL, I am among the top ranked players and every game counts, so there is pressure.

She felt that these kind of leagues should happen at state level also. “All categories can participate in this tournament and it improves the game. These kind of leagues should happen at every stage, at state level and national level for lower ranked players also. Cadets get first exposure, it motivates young kids and is good for veterans also as they can continue playing. It helps people in general and society as well.”

Madhurika just returned from Budapest after playing in the World Table Tennis individual Championships. She has been preparing hard for the Tokyo Olympics.

“The preparations for Olympics started simultaneously with Commonwealth Games and Asian Games taking one tournament at a time. I have started playing many tournaments for improving world rankings and side-by-side train in India and abroad. Before the World Championships we trained in Denmark and also have trained in China and Germany. When I am in Mumbai, I train at the Boosters Academy in Thane with my husband and my coach from 24 years (Shailaja) Gohad,” she signed off.