KOLKATA: Youngster Ankur Bhattacharjee is ready for the big leap as the Bengal paddler will take part in the Czechoslovakia League this month. India’s No. 1 youth player will represent the Czech Liga Pro side which takes part in the second tier of Czech League.
“I will be leaving on Wednesday and will play the league till April 26,” he told TOI on Tuesday.
Ankur has created a sensation in recent times by winning a treble at the Inter-State Youth and Junior National Table Tennis Championships in the city in January, ending on top in the Under-19 boys’ team, doubles and singles categories.
The 18-year-old also put up a good challenge in the senior category by making the quarterfinal and semifinal in two consecutive senior national championships.
“I got a call from the Czech club who must have watched my games somewhere. I had little hesitation in deciding to join them,” he stated. “It will be a good opportunity for me to rub shoulders with some big names of world TT,” the 18-year-old, who hails from a sporting family, said.
The six-team round-robin league is expected to see top players from European countries as well as some from East Asia taking part. “I have previously played in the Nepal league.
But this will be a different challenge. I expect much more competition, which will help me get ready for the senior circuit,” the gold medal winner in the South Asian Youth Table Tennis tournament last year, said.
However, in spite of his consistent good show, Ankur has still not found a place in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
