I would love to continue till the Los Angeles Olympics: Costantini

Nithya Mani got the better of compatriot Pritha Vartikar 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8 during second round of qualifying at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran

Massimo Costantini, the National head coach of the Indian table tennis team, is quiet yet firm in his methods and has the results to show for his coaching style and technique.

Now in his third stint, which began ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, ‘Max’, who will turn 68 next month, hinted that he would love to continue till the 2028 Los Angeles Games though his contract is up for renewal this May.

“Normally, we work on a four-year cycle. So, it would make sense to complete the cycle in 2028. I would like to build a better set of coaches and players with a strong mentality and create a better team environment. I think my legacy was there in 2018. I want to leave an even better one. That’s my dream,” he told The Hindu on the sidelines of the WTT Star Contender at the SDAT High-Performance Centre inside the TNPESU campus on Tuesday.

Max felt it would be tough for the Indians to do well. “It’s more challenging for the girls. The Japanese are very good and next only to the Chinese,” said the Italian.

The coach said it felt great to see Manav Thakkar finally showing his potential at the international level. “I see that after so many discussions and analyses of his game, I think now he has found his game. Now, he has developed his speed and timing, which are crucial.”

Costantini said he is also working with the Sports Authority of India to set up a permanent training camp. “I’m confident that it will happen soon though we don’t have an official confirmation,” he said.

The year 2026 is important, with the World Team Championships in London (from April 28 to May 10) followed by the Asian Games in September. Costantini felt it would be ideal if the team for the Worlds was decided after the Senior Nationals to be held in Indore from March 14. “My advice is to wait until March 21. We have time till April 8 for team replacement. It makes sense to wait for the Nationals and see who is performing,” he said.

Important results (qualifying second round): Men: Umesh Kumar bt Rajeev Chikanbanjar (Nepal) 6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8; Balamurugan Rajasekaran bt Neil Mulye 11-5, 13-11, 11-9.

Women: Naisha Rewaskar bt Palak Ghia 11-3, 11-8, 11-6; Gungun Sahu bt Hardee Patel-12 3-1 [12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10; Nithya Mani bt Pritha Vartikar 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8.