Asiad Digest

Table tennis

Iran coach Jamil Lotfollah Nasabi said the outstanding performances of Iran's men's table tennis players at the Hangzhou Asian Games will help to grow the sport back home.

Iran ousted medal favorite Japan in the men's team quarterfinals 3-0. The Iranians secured a bronze medal in the men's doubles when the sibling pair of Nima Alamian and Noshad Alamiyan Darounkolaei reached the semifinals on Sunday, where they were defeated by the eventual winners Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin of China.

"We will get a bigger budget, more attention from the ministry of sport and the Olympic committee, maybe even some private sponsors will support us," Nasabi said.

"Most people are familiar with what happened in table tennis (here) because it was broadcast live in our country. Many people have changed their minds about the sport."

He said developing a table tennis player needs "tolerance and patience".

"It is very difficult. You have to have the will to continue the process over 15 to 20 years. Many young players are coming through. They now get good results in international competitions, but they have to be supported."