In a significant stride towards fostering India's sporting prowess, the Adani Group has embarked on a promising journey by extending its support to talented table tennis sensation, Poymantee Baisya. Hailing from Hooghly, West Bengal, Poymantee has already etched her name in the annals of Indian table tennis history with a Gold in Mixed Doubles of World Table Tennis Feeder Beirut II, Bronze in the Mixed doubles in the World Table Tennis Feeder Beirut 1, Gold in the Individuals 85^th Senior Nationals and a Gold in the Women Doubles.

The 21-year-old now has her sights set on conquering international stages with the backing of Adani Group. With table tennis maestro Sharath Kamal as her idol, and under the expert guidance of coach Abhishek Mukherjee for the past five years, Poymantee's journey has been fueled by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Excerpts from a chat with her.

How does it feel to have such a big organisation like the Adani Group backing your dreams?

I’m very grateful to the Adani Group for offering this support to me at such a young age in my career and believing in me, I’m thankful to Mr Gautam Adani. This is a very big step up for me in my career, and in my journey because it will boost my preparations for various tournaments. Not just training but other aspects such as recovery, equipment and medicals also matter. Now I do not have to worry about all that and can concentrate more on my performance.

How will the support from Adani Group help you in your career you plan to in table tennis?

The support will help me participate and prepare for international tournaments. Right now, I hold the ranking of #4 but the exposure to international tournaments will help me to consistently represent India at international events. Being able to prepare for international tournaments and participate in them requires a lot of financial backing and guidance, with Adani Group’s support, this would now be possible.

#GarvHai Program has supported some of India's best athletes like Deepak Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Rani Rampal. What does being a part of the #GarvHai programme mean to you personally?

I’m really blessed to be honoured amongst the greats. The support from the Adani Group is a boon for us, it just motivates us to stay focused on nurturing our talent and putting in the hard work every day to reach the top and bring glory to our nation.

You've had some remarkable victories in your career already. What's been your most memorable moment on the table tennis court so far?

My most memorable moment is the national championship... I had eight back-to-back matches that day, hardly got more than 10 minutes break in between each game. It was very hectic. I was happier for the fact that in order to win, I defeated some of the best in the business, like Arjuna Awardee Shreeja Akula and Asian Games doubles winner Ayhika Mukherjee. This was my maiden medal in the seniors event, so overall, I was very happy about the win.

How important is mental strength in your sport, especially during high-pressure situations?

Playing at such competitive levels is always very difficult. With every match and tournament comes the pressure of winning and reaching the top, the more you play, the nerves balance out but the pressure never goes away. Once I am on court, I don’t think about anything, it's just the match, the opponent, and me.

Apart from table tennis, do you have any other hobbies or interests that you enjoy pursuing in your free time?

I love watching movies, my favourite movie is 3Idiots. I also enjoy reading a lot of Bengali detective books.

You come from Hoogly in West Bengal, a place known for its rich culture and heritage. How did it influence your journey as an athlete?

I’m the first person who has pursued sports as a career in my family. But everyone at home loves and follows sports, that’s the culture I was brought up in.

What are your goals and aspirations for the future, both in your sporting career and beyond?

My goal is to represent India at the Olympics, Commonwealth, Asian Games, and win a medal for my country. Beyond sports, I aspire to inspire and mentor young talents. The story of a player like me getting such an impressive corporate support is also something that will inspire younger players and athletes who don’t have that support. A lot of people quit midway but my story might help change that.

Being recognised as one of the most promising athletes in table tennis must be exciting. What motivates you to keep pushing yourself to excel in your sport?

Ever since my first match, my mother has been the sole reason for me to do well in the sport. She joins me for every match and is the driving force of motivation. I have achieved all this because of her and every match I play I want to win the trophy for her and to dedicate it to her.

What advice would you give to young aspiring athletes who look up to you as a role model

My advice to all young aspirants in the world of table tennis and in the world of sports, is to be disciplined in training. Trust your parents and coaches and heed their advice.