Local looper Sanil sets aim for Olympics 2020
Although table tennis finds few takers in the country, there have been a few players who are giving it a fillip.
Elite athletes come across as warriors as they seem invincible as they excel in their sports. But throughout sporting history, many famous athletes suffered grave illnesses before they made a name for themselves, or even after. One of them is Mumbai’s local boy, 27-year-old Sanil Shetty. A former National Table Tennis Championship Winner, he was born with a hole in his heart.
Currently, number six in India, Sanil’s survival was uncertain. The doctors told his family that his health was a complicated matter and he was not allowed to play any sport. “I took homoeopathic treatment for a few years, and by the age of five, I was. Till then, I was never allowed to play any sport,” said Shetty. Sports is obviously full of determined people, but athletes like him are certainly the cream of the crop.
Talking about how it all started, Sanil recalls, “I was born in a family where all of us enjoyed playing table tennis. My father took it as a hobby, and my elder brother was a national level player himself. When my elder brother won a trophy, I decided to take this game up. I joined a training camp at the age of nine.”
The 27-year-old has a tough schedule ahead of him as he competes in each tournament or league. “After whatever happened to me as a kid, I have never suffered any illness. I believe that I am fit enough to compete in all the major and minor tournaments that come my way. I think I can play for another 7-8 years with my goal being Tokyo Olympics in 2020,” he adds.
Sanil is currently competing in the Mumbai Super League (MSL), which is being held at the National Sports Club, Worli. He is one of the most experienced players at the event. “I am enjoying my role as a player/coach as I have the maximum practice here. The young players here need proper guidance,” he said while talking about the MSL.
Bharat Petroleum has currently employed the 27-year-old left-handed looper. “Being a sports person, I have got a job at Bharat Petroleum, but as long as I am playing for the country I am exempted from work,” he said. “I don’t get much time as I have a very tight schedule, but I like to sketch and spend time with my family and friends when I am free,” he signs off.