CHENNAI: Star paddler G Sathiyan is all set to make his debut at the French League Pro A when he turns up for Jura Morez Tennis De Table later this year. Sathiyan, currently training in Dusseldorf, Germany, is likely to feature in about 10 games for the club after the conclusion of Asian Games this year.
"It is one of the top leagues and a highly competitive one. I will feature in about 10 games for the club and get acclimatized to the conditions there as part of my tune-up for the Paris Olympics in 2024," Sathiyan told TOI.
Sathiyan has a fair understanding of the leagues in Europe having played in the Polish league for his club Sokolow SA Jaroslaw. "The quality of players and the game time there has definitely benefited me immensely in recent years," said Sathiyan, who moved five places to be ranked No. 33 in the world earlier this year. Featuring in the French League will mean that Sathiyan won't be part of any other league next season.
In the last few weeks, Sathiyan has been getting crucial game time in the Polish league. "This is a big year for us with the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games coming up. The plan is to stay in the best possible shape physically and mentally," he said.
The 29-year-old will next be seen in action in WTT Contender Muscat from February 27 to March 5 and also at the WTT Grand smash in Singapore from March 7-20.
