At the Punjab State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament in Jalandhar, 10-year-old Anmol competed fiercely against some of the state's best young players. On the sidelines, her elder brother Harpartap Singh watched every move with unwavering attention. After her match, as Anmol mingled with fellow players, Harpartap waited patiently outside the arena.
A brother's dedication
For the past two years, ever since Anmol picked up a table tennis racket, Harpartap has made her journey his own. Every morning, Anmol wakes up at 5:30 am for practice, and so does her brother. He accompanies her to training, stays by her side throughout, and brings her home. Beyond being a guardian, he has become one of her coaches, constantly guiding and motivating her.
"I have dedicated my time to her," Harpartap told The Tribune. "I played table tennis for some time and enjoyed it immensely. I wanted to become a sportsperson, but I started late, at the age of 17. I realised age was not in my favour, so I decided not to continue. But I wanted my sister to have the opportunity that I didn't."
Family support and home practice room
Harpartap, currently pursuing a BA in Economics, has placed Anmol's sporting ambitions at the centre of his life. Their father, a businessman, has been one of the strongest supporters of Anmol's pursuits. "In my family, my father has always supported Anmol's table tennis journey and I will do whatever it takes to help her reach greater heights," Harpartap said.
To help Anmol improve, he had a special practice room constructed on the first floor of their home, where she trains under his guidance. The efforts are already paying off: at the State Championship in Ludhiana last year, Anmol secured a third-place finish.
On Thursday, after another hard-fought match at the state ranking tournament, Harpartap was seen discussing her performance and preparing her mentally for the final day of competition. As the siblings left the venue together, it was clear that for Anmol, her brother Harpartap Singh is her hero.
