Following Ankur Bhattacharjee’s narrow five-game defeat to Hong Kong’s Lam Siu Hang, which sealed India’s quarterfinal exit at the Asian Table Tennis Team Championships, a visibly dejected young captain Manav Thakkar approached head coach Massimo Costantini with a soft “Sorry, coach.”
However, the seasoned Italian coach quickly dismissed any apologies, assuring Manav and his teammates, “Don’t feel sorry. You gave your best.”
Indeed, Costantini’s tone was far from disappointment, even though the Indian men’s team missed out on a medal for the first time in four championships.
“I’m not disappointed at all. It was a fiercely contested match. We lost two crucial games by a razor-thin 3-2 margin. While the final score may reflect a 3-0 loss, I understand the context, and there are no excuses,” Costantini shared with The Hindu.
“I didn’t arrive with sky-high expectations — this is a youthful team, burdened with significant responsibility. For many, it was their first time stepping into a quarterfinal, tasked with upholding a medal legacy they hadn’t even personally earned last year. Both Ankur and Manush (Shah) were experiencing this level for the very first time. They came to me saying, ‘Sorry, coach, we truly tried.’ And I am genuinely pleased with their dedication. They performed their roles admirably and gave it their all. I knew the match would be challenging. We may have lost, but I consider this a truly promising start for our emerging talent.”
Costantini, who has guided several generations of Indian paddlers, admitted that his immediate priority now is to cultivate the team’s mental resilience as they navigate a new chapter without the immense presence of legendary stalwart A. Sharath Kamal.
“Sharath was an undeniable leader. Our current mission is to nurture new leaders within the squad. Filling such a legacy is never an easy undertaking,” he stated.
“Mental development takes time. Technically and tactically, our players are already achieving impressive feats. But during a high-stakes match, a million thoughts can flood their minds — ‘What if I lose? What about my country, my team?’ My role is to help them master these emotions and ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead,” Costantini emphasized, highlighting the critical importance of psychological strength.