Kathmandu, August 4:

“History moves in circle” and national table tennis squad of Nepal is hoping to prove the saying when they take part in the 10th South Asian Games (SAG) slated for Colombo, Sri Lanka from August 18.

Nepal’s best run in the discipline came in the fifth South Asian Federation (SAF) Games (now SAG) in Sri Lanka when the players brought home a gold and two bronze medals. A team of Sijarin Shah, Gita Chhetri, Puja Thapa and Neelam Tuladhar gave Nepal a rare gold in 1991.

Shooter Anita Shrestha was the only other gold medallist in that edition.

With the likes of India and Pakistan at the centre stage, Nepal’s hopes of repeating the history depend on the draw. “I am aware of the strength of India and Pakistan. We can make to the finals if the draw favoured us and in final anything can happen,” said coach Shankar Gautam.

Gautam, however, was realistic of the fact that Nepal was way behind in singles events. “Our chances are in doubles, not in the singles,” he said.

The target of the Nepali TT team this time around is to win as many as five medals.

“We are optimistic for silver medals in doubles while we are eying two bronze medals in men and women’s team event along with a bronze in mixed doubles.”

Table tennis was introduced in the SAF Games since third edition in 1987 in Kolkata. Apart from the sixth (Dhaka, 1993) and seventh (Madras, 1995) editions where it returned empty-handed, Nepal has won medals in all the other editions. Table tennis has so far given Nepal 17 medals — one gold, four silver and 12 bronze medals.

A 10-member Nepali team is currently undergoing a two-week intense training in the host country before the tournament where they are taking part in seven events – men and women’s singles, men and women’s doubles, men and women’s team event and mixed doubles.

According top coach Gautam, Nepal is pinning hopes on Rajendra Kapali, Shiv Sundar Gothe, Sandhya Shakya and Muna Basukala.

Medals in Table tennis:

Year G S B Total

1987, Calcutta - 2 4 6

1989, Islamabad - 2 2 4

1991, Colombo 1 - 1 2

1993, Dhaka - - - 0

1995, Madras - - - 0

1999, Kathmandu - - 3 3

2004, Islamabad - - 2 2