Star Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal has become the first player from the country to get elected to the Athletes’ Commission of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Eight athletes (four males and as many females) were elected from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania and will serve in the Athletes’ Commission for four years from 2022 to 2026. The ace paddler from India got 187 votes, the second-highest number, behind Elizabeta Samara of Romania, who received 212 votes, the difference of a mere 8.83 percent votes polled from their continents — Asia and Europe — respectively.
Talking of the international honour, Sharath, a multiple Commonwealth Games medallist, felt humbled and happy to know that he got the highest number of votes from Asia, ahead of other candidates from the continent.
Liu Shiwen, elected from the female quota, is the other Asian on the Commission, but the Chinese managed only 153 votes.
“I am bowled over and humbled by the recognition. I thank the whole of Asia and all the voters for showering such affection with faith and the CoA (Committee of Administrators) for forwarding my name to ITTF,” said Sharath in a release issued by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).
In the November 7 to 13 polling, 283 athletes voted to elect eight candidates from different regions, indicating an increase of 18 percent, compared to 240 in 2018, and the growing popularity and relevance of the Commission.
Read more: https://sports.ndtv.com/table-tennis/sharath-kamal-becomes-first-indian-to-be-elected-in-ittfs-athletes-commission-3525354
