Theirs is a love story that emanated after 13 years of hate and cold shouldering. They are the champions in their own might and know each other for the last 15 years, but it was only after one of their common friend (Achanta Sharath Kamal) intervened and asked them to break the ice in order the lighten up the training camp, that Poulomi and Soumyadeep started talking, and what happened later is anybody’s guess.
In a candid talk to the Village News, the soon to be couple tell about their relationship, table tennis and the Commonwealth Games in detail:
On their courtship
“We knew each other since we were kids. But we never really got along. In fact we hated each others’ company. We didn’t speak to each other for seven long years. It was only after Sharath asked us to start talking in order to make the ambience at the training camp better that we moved ahead some two years ago. Thereafter, things improved between us and we became good friends and then best friend and one day we realized we are in love,” said Poulomi Ghatak, a six time national champion, who will get married to Soumyadeep Roy in February.
Corroborating, Soumyadeep reminisces, those were the days. “We never talked. We had different friends’ circles. But then pairings are done in heaven and the adage fully suits us. We got engaged last year. Now, we are the pillars of motivation behind each other success during the competitions. Commonwealth is the first Games we are playing together as couple. Her words are definitely motivating and I need a lot because I am playing a tough game tomorrow. I have defeated the Australian 2006 CWG silver medalist and am getting into tomorrow’s game in quite good form. Hopefully with her backing, I would do well in the tough match and bring laurels to our country,” says the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
“It’s always good to have Soumyadeep behind me during my games. His presence makes me feel good and I am motivated to play well. I have experienced this in the Games and I hope we both sail through the last hurdle in each other’s company tomorrow,” says Poulomi, stating that since all eyes will be on the paddlers as there is neck-to-neck fight between India and England for the second spot, they will give their best to win the gold.
On delayed marriage
“We will be getting married in February because we have a grueling schedule ahead. First the Asian Games in Guangzhou and then the Nationals in January. Then I have my sister’s wedding and probably after that sometime in February when we will be confident of getting a good break of a month-and-a-half. We did not want to do it in a hurry. We have been busy since the last one and a half years. Marriage is a time to enjoy and break-free from all mental pressures and have fun. That’s why we chose a lean season for us to get married,” said Soumyadeep.
On the success story of Indian TT
“The process started some six years ago in 2004, but the results started coming in 2006. We worked hard for the two years between 2004 and 2006 and what looked like a miracle to everyone else in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games were actually the dividends of our efforts. Yeah, it was good and a dream situation for us when we won against Singapore in the Melbourne Games. Achantha almost did the unthinkable. Nobody was willing to give us any chance but we won defeating the favourites. Not only Singapore, we beat Nigeria and many other higher ranked teams. We won the men’s team event and Sharath won the men’s singles also,” remembers Soumyadeep.
On TT standards in CWG 2010
“The CWG tennis standards are really high. Singapore is here and so is Australia with four Chinese players in their team. So it is tough competition here at the games. Especially women’s events this time are tougher as compared to last the Games. We have done a good job reaching this far and hopefully we will continue the good work tomorrow as well when we have a tough game in the semis. Beating England was like a dream come true. The same team beat us earlier. So it was like a good revenge. Tomorrow we are playing a Singapore team and that will be tough. Most of them are Chinese and are really good players but we will give it our best shot,” informed Poulomi.
Soumyadeep too agreed with his fiancé and added, “I am playing a Singaporean ranked number 15 in the world. He is the top seed here. I would be the underdog but that would probably lift the pressure off me and the support of the home crowd will definitely help.”
On arrangements at The Games Village
“It’s simply fantastic. We haven’t been in such a place. The negative things shown by the media prior to the onset of the Games look so false when you see the actual infrastructure. I remember in Melbourne last time, we did not have an air-conditioner in our rooms and it was hell hot. For one flat there was one toilet and here we have attached bathrooms in all rooms. Then we have such spacious rooms here, which were never seen before. Minor hiccups happen everywhere but those should not be blown out of proportions,” said Soumyadeep.
Corroborates Poulomi. “Even the venues if you see are so good. Our ground is like heaven you know. If things continue to be maintained post the Games as well, then we will definitely see a lot many youngsters getting attracted towards the game. These are world-class infrastructures.”
Courtesy: Village News
By Rohit Sakunia/Rakesh Jha
