British paddler Liam Pitchford said the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league will play a key role in spurring the growth of the sport in India.
Pitchford, who rose to fame after playing a role in England's stunning bronze-winning effort at the 2016 World Championships, is all keyed up to be a part of the Bayside Spinners TTC squad.
"It is an exciting initiative," Pitchford, who has a career-high ranking of No. 39 in the world, told DNA on Thursday. "It is going to be quite a different project. It's going to make (table tennis) exciting, and hopefully it will get more people watching the sport."
The 23-year-old from Chesterfield, England, added that the budding Indian players are starting to get good results.
"There will be more people playing table tennis (in India) and watching table tennis," added Pitchford, a two-time Olympian. "The young, upcoming players are getting good results now, so this will push them on to even better things."
As for himself, Pitchford, a five-time Commonwealth Games medallist, said he aims to win another one at the quadrennial event next year in Gold Coast, Australia. However, he is looking for nothing less than a gold this time around.
"I want to win the gold medal in the next Commonwealth Games. That's the immediate goal," he said.
The eight-team professional league is scheduled to begin on July 13 with Chennai hosting the first leg. The second and third legs will be held in Delhi (July 21-25) and Mumbai (July 26-30), respectively.
The Federer connect
Although Liam Pitchford's life revolves around a table, he is big fan of tennis courts. Why? Well, he considers 18-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer his idol. And the reason? "I have a lot to compare (with Federer).
When he was young, he used to get livid, break racquets. Then, he sort of managed to compose himself. And now you see the character that he is. He is just an amazing role model. If I could get anywhere close to him, I will be happy," said Pitchford, adding that the Swiss ace can win the Wimbledon title this year. "Definitely (he can win). He chose not to play the French Open to get ready for the grass courts. He is in such a good shape. We saw what he did in Australia straight from a break."
