Indian Senior Women’s basketball team: 15 probables selected for Asian Championship
Indian Senior Women’s basketball team: 15 probables selected for Asian Championship
Indian Senior Women's Basketball team final 15 probables.
Bengaluru, 9 August 2015: The Basketball Federation of India selection committee in consultation with the coaching staff has selected the final 15 probables for the Indian Senior National Women’s basketball team at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru earlier this morning. Out of these 15, the final 12 member squad will be decided in the coming weeks that will then participate in the 26th FIBA Asia Women’s Championship 2015 that will be held in Wuhan, China from 29th August to 5th September 2015.
The morning began with 22 of India’s best probables being put through the paces by Head Coach Francisco Garcia through full court practice matches. For a full hour and fifteen minutes this morning, the selection committee, comprising Chairman Mr. T. Chengalraya Naidu (President, Andhra Pradesh Basketball Association), Mr. Satprakash Yadav (retired Railways & India Coach), Ms. Leelama Thomas and Ms. Pratibha Suriyashekar (both retired Railways Players), watched keenly as the players showed their gains after three weeks of practise at Bengaluru’s premier indoor facility.
“It is the best 15 in my opinion. We have a good balance for every position.” Coach Garcia said after the final selection. “I didn’t have any trouble about coaching. I am focused on working with the team. In Bangalore there have been fewer administrative deficiencies.”
Said veteran international Anitha Paul Durai, “I think we are developing a good understanding now. Our aim is to maintain our fifth position in FIBA Asia.” A recent mother, Anitha Paul Durai should be credited for getting back to full fitness, a feat not many athletes are able to achieve post maternity.
Indian Senior Women's Basketball team Head Coach Francisco Garcia shares a moment with the final 15 probables. Also seen is Assistant Coach Ms Aparna Ghosh.
17-year-old local Karnataka player Bhandavya HM, who also made it to the final 15 squad expressed her joy and excitement at the selection. “I have played in the youth (U16) and junior (U18) Indian teams, so it has been my long cherished dream to make it to the senior team as well. I didn’t this dream would come true so early.” Bhandavya HM is the second player from Mandya to now make it to the current Indian Senior Basketball team. Prior to her, men’s forward Aravind A represented the Senior Men’s team in the South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Qualifying Championship last month in Bengaluru.
INDIAN TEAM CAMP FINAL 15 PROBABLES FOR THE FIBA ASIA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
Sr. No. First Name/Surname Position* Domestic Team 1 Rajapriyadharshini R PF/C Railways 2 Stephy Nixon C Kerala 3 Poojamol KS G/F Kerala 4 Apporva Muralinath F Railways 5 Srividhya V F/C Tamil Nadu 6 Smruthi Radhakrishnan F Railways 7 Jeena PS F Kerala 8 Sitamani Tudu G/F Railways 9 Anjana PG G/F Kerala 10 Sruthi Menon G/F Maharashtra 11 Anitha P G Railways 12 Shireen Limaye F Maharashtra 13 Barkha Sonkar G Uttar Pradesh 14 Kavita Akula PG Chhattisgarh 15 Bhandavya HM G/F Karnataka COACHING STAFF 23 Francisco Garcia Head Coach NA 24 Aparna Ghosh Assistant Coach Railways (Coach)
*PG - Point Guard / Feeder, G - Guard, F - Forward, G/F - Wing, PF - Power Forward, C - Centre, PF/C - Pivot