“Take any sports activity. Every individual needs proper guidance and training to understand the proper techniques of that particular sport in the beginning stage. But once he or she masters that game, all that is needed is a lot of practice. And a player can further develop the game by playing with variety of players. This is where Group dynamics comes into picture,” says former national level TT player and renowned Table Tennis coach Jagannath Mohite.
Jagannath is still very much active with the game of table tennis and possesses solid stamina to play continuously for hours on the table. Last year at the Veterans’ National he was finalist in the 60+ age group. This year he even played the 1st division Mumbai City District Inter Club TT league to oust and extend some in form players, when his Gymkhana needed his services. Even today, he plays with the same enthusiasm and speed with which he used to play during 70s and early 80s. His mantra still remains the same, ‘Attack the third ball after service’ and top spin variations has been his forte. And this is what he expects from his students.
Now, Jagannath has started his own TT Coaching school at Catholic Gymkhana, Charni Road and that too with the support of his family members comprising of Mahendra Mohite, a well Known Coach from Mumbai with 20 years experience, having trained Mumbai City, Maharashtra and team India players. His two sons Saurabh ex- Maharashtra TT team member and Rohan a well Known player and coach. All four of them form the team of trainers for different groups. Mohites’ have very systematically drawn the schedule of trainees from Monday to Friday, so as to suit their requirements. Those who want to attend twice a week, there is different fee structure and those who would make themselves available for three days a week or all five days, have different fees.
“We have made this training open to all in different age groups, as today, we even notice a good competition in the Veterans’ TT tournaments. Some Juniors like Prachi Vaid and Shloak Jhaveri have shown very good improvement in just one month. Uday Parulekar a veteran player who attends this training camp, has improvised on his top spin attack. So, age does not matter in this training camp. All that we trainers look for is the enthusiasm of the player to learn new techniques, especially while facing opponents with anti spin rubbers. Today, we find many players using anti spin rubbers, but they don’t know how to use them. In our training school, we teach them to master the right technique of using such rubbers. It requires time and a lot of practice. I am thankful to Catholic Gymkhana for making their hall as well as brand new TT tables available to me . Last but not the least, my both the sons have come forward to help me in this coaching school and my brother Mahendra, a renowned coach has also extended his hand. I am surprised to see some hidden skills in Saurabh coming out, while training the players.I am sure, one day he will turn out to be the best Coach. What more I would have asked for? ” concludes Jagannath.
Highlight of this training is that the Mohite family members have come together to offer this coaching, which is very rare to find today. The training is open from Monday to Friday in different batches between 4.30 pm and 8.30 pm.at Catholic Gymkhana, next to Taraporewala Aquarium , Charni Road. Those interested may contact: 9821489650/9819419945/8652576679/9699393433 for more details, between 8.30 am to 11.30 am and 4 pm to 8.30 pm.