Karan Rastogi Thread ...

[vk2052]

wish you a very happy birthday karan. If I am right this is your first birthday as a coach. All the best to you and to your team. and last birth day as a single. I understand he is joining his best friend purav, as a married man -soon.

[bujilover]

Found this from Karan's FB page.

He had already gained HK citizenship and he will be appearing in the Davis Cup representing the country . His nationality has also changed in the ITF website from India to HongKong.

[Omkara]

Is he fit?

[bujilover]

He won his QR1 match against a 19 year old Chinese ranked 1502 in HKG F1. He should definitely be at a playing level if he is ready to compete again.

[suresh]

Karan is coaching the Hong Kong players and hence must be in some sort of playing shape. He is only 29 years old and hence is young enough to play. Next up in the final qualifying round is Thai Wishaya TRONGCHAROENCHAIKUL who is ranked 1044. I think Karan should be able to handle him easily.

[Rajiv]

Found this from Karan's FB page.

He had already gained HK citizenship and he will be appearing in the Davis Cup representing the country . His nationality has also changed in the ITF website from India to HongKong.

It is not he has gained Chinese Citizenship but a rule which allows a HongKong resident to play for the territory and in the past string of players from UK,USA,Australia have availed of this rule, for that matter even our ex Davis Cuppers Mark Fererira , Aisf Ismail have turned up for Hongkong in Davis Cup , Because to get a HKSAR passport or nationality you have to be a resident for a minimum 7 years which Karan isn't.

[suresh]

Thanks Rajiv for the clarification.

[gbelday]

Nice! There are so many pathways for players who want to follow their passion..no limit to opportunities! Best of luck Karan! This is one time I don't mind us losing to the "Chinese"

[Rajiv]

Most of the world sporting federations allow this flexibility of representing the territory if you are the resident except ICC which insist that on the field at least 10 years players should have a local passport , and my son who represented Hong Kong in Cricket for 3 years and when a junior played various competitions world wide lost out on this rule , and of course his going to University in UK also put a spanner but he has his hands full playing semi professional during the English summer playing in the Middlesex league at which time the University is closed for the summer recess.
In fact the in the FIFA World cup qualifiers six months ago Hong Kong played its group matches including against China with the half of the team comprising of players from Africa , South America and UK. and drew both the matches against China and one bad match against Qatar prevented them to move in to the next stage.

[prasen9]

Our family friend is one of the top strikers for Qatar. He is originally from Uruguay! It is stupid of India to make it hard for even people of Indian origin to represent India, imho.

[sameerph]

Yes, that is a stupid rule introduced by our government a few years back. Hope it is changes soon although right now no NRI is looking like having a chance to play davis/ fed cup for India.

As in Karan's case, Hongkong does not have anyone ranked in top 1500. So, he can easily be the top player in the team. As is Hong kong is in group 3 of Asia Oceania Zone where seemingly the matches are played over best of 3 sets. So, fitness won't be an issue. Maybe he will help them to get promoted to group II.

[PKBasu]

Karan retired from playing pro tennis, but has been coaching Hong Kong for the past 3 years or so. I think this tournament appearance is something of a one-off.

[sameerph]

Karan is coaching the Hong Kong players and hence must be in some sort of playing shape. He is only 29 years old and hence is young enough to play. Next up in the final qualifying round is Thai Wishaya TRONGCHAROENCHAIKUL who is ranked 1044. I think Karan should be able to handle him easily.

Karan lost to Wishaya 57 46. So, he may be still not up to it in terms of fitness, it seems.

[sameerph]

Karan has been representing Hong Kong in davis cup this week in Asia-Oceania group III in Iran .

He ( & his team) won their matches against Pacific Oceania and Turkmenistan but lost against hosts Iran. Hong Kong will play Lebanon tomorrow with winner going thru to group II.

[jaydeep]

With Karan's help Hong Kong is back in Asia-Oceania group II of Davis cup ... Against Lebanon he won his two matches (singles and doubles) to complete 2-1 victory for Hong Kong.