TTFI had decided not to send a men's team after the government insisted only medal prospects be sent to the Games, according to TTFI general secretary Moolchand Chowhan. The IOA-stipulated disciplines that finished among the top four at their respective Asian Championships would be considered medal prospects.

Indian men finished a creditable fifth in the Asian Championship held at Osaka, Japan this September. Considering the continent includes giants China, the Koreas, Chinese Taipei and Japan, TTFI felt a medal could not be guaranteed.

But Baboor's single bronze and doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games, following an epoch-making silver at the Asia Cup last year, made for a strong case.

IOA okayed table tennis as a discipline it will sponsor to the Games, butcut the tentative list of five players to one -- Baboor. Raman was Chetan's partner at the Commonwealth, and is a player improving with every stride.Presently playing professional TT in Sweden, his credentials provide the TTFI hope of sending a second player to Bangkok, along with opening the possibility of participating in the men's doubles as well.