Hailakandi, Aug. 19: Indian junior and sub-junior table tennis coach Abhijit Roy Choudhury has expressed concern over the deteriorating standard of sports in the Northeast, particularly in Assam.

The coach was surprised that table tennis, which was once a very popular game in Assam,known for champions like Monalisa Baruah, had lost its position in such a way that it figures nowhere in the national scenario these days.

He stressed the need for reviving the game in the state, which, he said, has enough talent. Choudhury was speaking to The Telegraph during his 10-day summer table tennis coaching camp organised by Udharbond Table Tennis Club for youngsters in Cachar district last month.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Level II coach, who is also the mentor of senior national champion Samya Das, said there were talented players in the camp he conducted but they need proper coaching, exposure and participation in state-level championships and ranking tournaments.

Choudhury admitted there were impediments to the sport in Assam, lack of funds being amajor one.

"In Bengal, the game is extremely popular. The state premier league has started in Bengal from last year through which the players are getting money. This should be an example for the other states," he said.

Impressed by the abundant talent in Silchar, he said the players have an incredible quality to compete at any level. He reiterated the need for trainees to be sent outside the state for advanced training and lauded Udharbond Table Tennis Club for organising the camp.