'India Is A Bomb In Table Tennis, Waiting To Explode'

Massimo Costantini Is a Star in Indian Table Tennis, the Man Behind the Country’s Rich Haul in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Back for a Second Stint as India’s Head Coach, Costantini Discusses Various Facets of Indian Table Tennis With Amol Karhadkar.

- Amol Karhadkar

“Costantini. That’s my second name. But for some reason, I have been constantly referred to as Constantini. And I have got used to it,” says an ever smiling Massimo Constantini, oops Costantini, while adjusting his spectacles.

For the followers of Indian table tennis — yes, there are more than a few, believe it or not — Costantini is a star, the man behind the country’s rich haul in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. No wonder, he is back as India’s head coach, after stints in the USA.

During the National Ranking (Central Zone) Championship in Indore, Max — as he is popularly known among the fraternity — discussed various facets of Indian table tennis with Sportstar .

Excerpts:

Question: This is your second stint as India’s head coach. How has it been so far?

Answer: Judging by the enthusiasm, the warm welcome from all the stake-holders and the results, I would say the first eight nine months of the second stint have been absolutely good. We just came back from the World Championship with not expected but good results. I was confident that with a good preparation, we can perform well and we did.

How would you compare your two stints as India’s head coach?

I think, to begin with, the competition has improved. The movement is growing up, judging by the numbers. In 2009 and 2010, for the zonal meet there will be 1000 entries and now there is 1400. There is a 40 percent hike in the number of participants, which is significant. It means that the country is working to keep improving.