09 February,2010 02:53 PM IST | | Agencies
Their game heavily influenced by China, Singapore will be India's toughest rivals in the table tennis competition of the Commonwealth Games this year, India coach Massimo Costantini said.
Talking to PTI, he said Singapore will be the biggest threat to the Indians as their team boasts of former Chinese players and support staff. "China are the knowledge powerhouse in TT, like cricket in India. All Chinese have moved to Singapore making it a very strong side.
"We have to be mentally prepared to tackle the Chinese opposition.We are the only one country in the CWG who would not have a Chinese influence as of now," said Costantini, who was the coach of Italy from 2002 to 2005.
u00a0Asked his assessment of the Indians, Costantini said country's paddlers are strong mentally but need to strike more powerful shots.
"We have suffered in the Asian championship. Pace of the stroke needs to be improved. In mind-games, India are much better than the European countries.
"We are just not fit enough and have to improve on our skills. In India, we rely more on backhand and less on forehand unlike in European countries where it's about equal distribution."
