Akula Sreeja to lead India women’s team at Asian Games, Somnath appointed coach

Telangana’s star table tennis player Akula Sreeja and her coach Somnath Ghosh will be part of India’s table tennis contingent for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Sreeja is leading the Indian women’s table tennis team, while her coach Somnath Ghosh has been appointed as one of the official coaches of the Indian team for the prestigious multi-sport event, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

Currently ranked World No. 64, Sreeja will lead a strong Indian women’s team comprising Diya Parag Chitale, Syndrella Das, Yashaswini Deepak Ghorpade and Sutirtha Mukherjee. Apart from leading the team, Sreeja is to compete in the singles, team and doubles events.

Sreeja said she was delighted with the opportunity to lead the Indian team at the Asian Games. “I am thrilled to lead the Indian team at the Asian Games. It is a prestigious multi-sport event, and I am really excited about the opportunity to represent India and perform at my best. It is indeed a significant personal and professional milestone for me.”

For Somnath Ghosh, who is in Almaty (Kazakhstan) as the coach of Indian team, the occasion is particularly special as he will be part of the Indian coaching staff while his student leads the women’s team.

“Representing India as a coach and being part of the team led by my student Sreeja is a very special occasion in my career. Sreeja’s achievement is a matter of great pride. It reflects her dedication, hard work and commitment to the sport. I am confident that the entire team will give its best and make the country proud at the Asian Games,” Somnath Ghosh said.

Somnath thanked the Telangana government and the Telangana State Table Tennis Association for its support and encouragement.