Serve A Matchpoint In A Love-All Game

Rewriting The Rules

- PRAVEENA S A @Chennai

In the bustling metropolis of Coimbatore, where the relentless pulse of technology meets the yearning for human connection, a remarkable story unfolds. Not in the sterile glow of computer screens, but in the heart of a rehabilitation centre, where hope takes the form of a ping-pong ball. Here, Meenakshi Chandran, a 34-year-old IT professional, is rewriting the rules of the game. For over a year, she has been a beacon of hope for aspiring para table tennis players, offering her expertise free of charge. She has shaped the skills of over 20 trainees, many of whom have claimed medals in tournaments like the Chief Minister's Trophy and Khelo India 2023.

Meenakshi's journey with table tennis began in a government-aided school in Coimbatore. "When I was in Class 6," she recalled, "our school had no dedicated sports coaches. During one physical education period, our teachers introduced us to table tennis and encouraged me a lot." Determined to improve, she participated in an inter-school competition in Class 7 but lost due to a lack of coaching. Observing her opponents, she joined an academy and honed her skills, eventually competing at the state and national levels.