After leaving the Olympics in Paris without winning a medal, Archana Kamath had to consider pursuing a different career route.
For the first time in the country’s history, India’s women’s table tennis team advanced past the Round of 16 at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The only paddler to win a game in the women’s team competition was Archana Kamath, and India ultimately fell to Germany in the quarterfinals. India conceded a 1-3 loss and withdrew from the competition. Even though Kamath’s team’s performance in table tennis at the Olympics to reach the quarterfinals was remarkable, he still desired more. Since winning a medal at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is not a given, the young paddler has made the decision to give up professional table tennis and pursue studies overseas.
There was much discussion prior to the quadrennial competition regarding Archana’s selection for the Paris Olympics, particularly since she was chosen over Ayhika Mukherjee, the winner of the World No. 1 Sun Yingsha match.
Archana concentrated on the game and performed incredibly well, helping India win the lone match against the Germans in the 1-3 quarterfinal loss, putting aside the rumors surrounding her choice. It is insufficient that Archana enjoys the support of TOPs, Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), and other sponsors. Her motivation came from an Olympic medal, but it seems like a better professional route to study overseas now.
“My brother is a NASA employee. My hero, he also motivates me to pursue my studies. I adore finishing my academics, so I make the time to do so. She’s terrific at it too,” she had previously told the newspaper.
According to her father, who also noted that Archana is an excellent student, the paddler has no regrets about her professional decisions.
“Archana has always had a strong academic background. Throughout her time at TT, she has pursued her education, earning a degree in Economics and, most recently, finishing the requirements for a master’s degree in international relations, strategies, and securities.
After more than 15 years of intensely focused table tennis play, which culminated in her representation of her country in the Olympics, she decided it was time to devote herself to her second passion: full-time academics. After giving it her all for the sport and the nation, she has made this difficult decision with no regrets at all, according to Archana’s father Girish.
Given the extreme measure Archana chose to take following the Paris Games, the financial viability of sports like table tennis is a cause for concern. But according to Kamlesh Mehta, the secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and eight-time national champion, things are changing swiftly.
There is a growing corporate support for table tennis. Every corporate owner of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) is present. Professional sports organizations also assist players. A lot is going on, and the government, in partnership with TTFI, is making every effort to assist athletes and establish a structure that encourages them to continue in the sport. This is demonstrated by the sheer number of professional academies that have opened up around the nation. Our performances in youth competitions and on the world arena demonstrate that we are doing something right,” he remarked.
Although Archana’s coach Garg believes the sport is still a long way from becoming a means of support for players, Table Tennis stars are receiving equipment and training support. Therefore, he could understand Archana’s choice.
Because they have a lot of assistance, elite players typically don’t experience any issues. And the future players—what about them? In terms of equipment and training, they do receive help. Everything is included there, but what about a living? Archana’s decision is understandable because that gets challenging,” Garg remarked.
