Sharath, Ghatak to lead India in TT Olympic qualifiers

Ace paddlers Achanta Sharath Kamal and Poulumi Ghatak will lead a six-member Indian team in the Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held in Hong Kong from April 19 to 22.

The six-member Indian contingent will have three men -- 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sharath, newly-crowned national champion Anthony Amalraj and Soumyajit Ghosh – and three women -- reigning national champion Ghatak, Shamini Kumaresan and young Ankita Das.

"Soumyajit defeated experienced Subhajit Saha in the trials for the third and last qualification spot in Patiala, while Sharath and Amalraj were obvious selections," TTFI secretary general Dhanraj Choudhary said.

"In the women's squad, Ankita beat Mouma Das for the third spot. The national team is training in Austria ahead of the World Team Championships in Dortmund, beginning March 25," added Choudhary.

The Indian team would get another chance to qualify for the London Olympics if they fail to secure a quota place in the Hong Kong qualification tournament.

"World Qualification Tournament will take place in Doha from May 22 to 25 and that would serve as another chance for the Indian paddlers to qualify for the London Olympics. If we fail in Hong Kong, we will send another set of three players each in men's and women's section in the Doha event," Choudhary said.

A maximum of two men and two women can represent a country in singles event in the Olympics.