‘The main obstacle is nepotism’

Dr. Manash Chowdhury is a dentist, musician and five-time national table tennis champion. He spoke to The Daily Star about the despondent environment in the country's table tennis circuit and shared his thoughts about how it could overcome the gloom while also expanding on how he manages to juggle his multi-dimensional life. The excerpts are below:

The Daily Star [DS]: You are a doctor, musician and table tennis player. How are you balancing all of these tasks?

Manash Chowdhury [MC]: I basically set my life like this. Apart from seven hours in my chambers, I try to properly utilise the remaining time. I don't gossip or waste my time. Instead, I focus on my work. When I'm in my chambers, I'm fully engaged with my patients. I dedicate three to four hours to my practice in the morning and afternoon. I play before coming in the morning and also in the afternoon.

DS: There is a training camp in Chattogram financed by Bangladesh Police. Are you in that camp?

MC: Yes, the camp is situated on the ground floor of my house. We had an Indian coach for a couple of months but he returned home when the Covid-19 situation worsened. If the situation improves, he may return in the middle of next month (February).

DS: When did you start playing this game? How long are you willing to play?

MC: I started playing in 1989. Although I did not play for around eight years in the middle. I retired from the national team, complaining about nepotism. Right now, I only play to maintain my fitness. But when I go down to play, I instinctively start playing for the championship again.

DS: What are the obstacles players face in this sport?

MC: I won't speak about myself because I have a healthy financial background since I am a doctor so my case is different. But in reality, I never want my children to choose table tennis as a career. Because I really don't like the misuse of power over there. The financial state of our table tennis players is miserable. Apart from eight to ten players, nobody gets paid properly. I get payed for representing [Bangladesh] Ansar or Police because I have reached a level and I'm maintaining it. But most of the players can't afford to buy a ping-pong ball, how will they reach a level where they will get paid?

DS: Against such a backdrop, Bangladesh's table tennis does not have much scope to develop, does it?

MC: There are many reasons that our table tennis is in ruins. The main reason is nepotism. The federation only plays the players they like. Those who flatter higher authorities the most get more opportunities regardless of credibility. And those who are actually skilled and capable are not even given the chance. The federation doesn't want players, they want boot-lickers. There are many senior and experienced players in Dhaka who are not even called to the camp for even one session of training each day.

DS: So despite having skilled players, our table tennis is declining due to nepotism within the federation?

MC: 100% right.

DS: What steps do you think are needed to ensure the sport's improvement?

MC: All the banks, big insurance companies and other big companies must form teams and make players permanent employees so that they don't have to worry about financial security. They will only focus on their game and when there is no event they can work for the company.  Having a permanent job can solve many problems, including the lack of freedom of speech among players.