NEW DELHI: India's leading
table tennis
player
Manika Batra has ended her association with Delhi-based childhood coach
Sandeep Gupta and will now train in Pune with
Sanmay Paranjape
.
While both Batra and Gupta were unavailable for a comment on the split, TTFI secretary M P Singh confirmed the development.
"In the TOPS meeting held on March 18, Manika conveyed her decision to the committee. It is a personal decision and we wish her all the best," Singh told PTI.
Batra started training at Gupta's academy here in Punjabi Bagh as an eight-year-old and their association comes to end after more than 15 years.
The 23-year-old paddler made history last year by winning as many as four medals at the Commonwealth Games including a singles gold. At the Asian Games, Batra and veteran
Sharath Kamal almost did the unthinkable by clinching a mixed doubles bronze.
The Indian men's team too finished with a historic bronze at the Jakarta Games, ending India's 60-year wait for a medal at the continental event.
TTFI secretary also confirmed that Canadian Dejan Papic will join the Indian team as head coach by July. The players are without a coach since the departure of Massimo Costantini following the Asian Games.
"We have got the necessary approval from SAI, he should be here by July," added Singh.