Indian table tennis legend Sharath Kamal’s long-cherished dream is finally taking shape, with the launch of a state-of-the-art High-Performance Centre (HPC) in Tamil Nadu, scheduled to be operational by the end of August. The facility will be located at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University (TNPESU) in Melakottaiyur and will be funded by the Tamil Nadu Innovations Initiatives (TANII), a wing of the State Planning Commission.
The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) approved the proposal on Thursday, confirming the green light for the ambitious project. J. Meghanatha Reddy, Member Secretary of SDAT, shared that TANII has committed to funding the HPC for three years, ensuring stability for the initiative’s formative phase.
“The funding from TANII will comprehensively cover the infrastructure, upgradation, equipment, manpower, and expert coaches for the facilities,” said Reddy. It was also announced that Sharath Kamal will serve as the HPC’s Advisory Director.
For the five-time Olympian and 10-time Senior National champion, this development marks the fulfilment of a vision years in the making. “It’s been a long process. It took us a while to figure out how to get the HPC into shape. I am happy it will be starting soon,” Sharath told Sportstar. “I had in mind to start a National Training Centre, and in 2022–23, when Meghanatha Reddy Sir called me, the seed was planted in my mind. Slowly it took shape.”
Sharath aims to make the HPC a National Training Centre that nurtures emerging talent from across Tamil Nadu, especially from smaller districts. He also plans to collaborate with World Table Tennis (WTT) to bring in international coaches and players. As part of that goal, he hopes to host a WTT Youth Contender event either later this year or by November 2026.
The centre will also feature residential facilities for players and is expected to house top-class training and recovery infrastructure. Sharath is working to bring on board renowned fitness expert Ramji Srinivasan and his team of physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches, though final approval will rest with SDAT.
With his name already etched in Indian table tennis history, Sharath Kamal’s next chapter now looks set to shape the future of the sport in the country, starting with this landmark High-Performance Centre in his home state.
