BENGALURU: After spending almost a decade in Asia’s top tier, India women’s basketball team was relegated to Division B in the last edition of FIBA Asia Women’s Championship in China. But this time, India is hosting the event and is confident of regaining lost glory. India’s first challenge will be Uzbekistan when they clash in Division B, Group A game in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here on Sunday.
Unlike the past 21 editions, India pose a strong challenge in the second tier. And the credit must go to Basketball Federation of India (BFI). Four months prior to the event, India started their Asia Cup preparations with 44 players in a preparatory camp under coach Paramdeep Singh and assistant coach Shiba Maggon. BFI also hired renowned Serbian coach Zoran Visic to shape the team.
Under Visic’s tutelage, the team has made significant improvements in defence and attack. In the build-up to the tournament, India took part in William Jones Cup in Taiwan that consisted of teams from New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and China.
India lost all of their five games in the competition, but the team put up an improved show. India put up a brave fight against a strong South Korea team before going down 51-56. Visic said the aim was to give the junior players some much-needed exposure before Asia Cup.
“Winning the matches was never our concern. Rather we wanted to improve in different departments and give the players, especially the junior players, a much-needed exposure. In the five matches, we rotated the squad and fielded all the players,” Visic said.
“The experience of playing teams from Division A was good. I think we have improved our game — being more aggressive in defence and faster in the offense. We try to play modern basketball and the girls have done a lot in this short period.”
It was not just the technical aspect the team needed to improve. Players’ nutrition and fitness also needed an overhaul. After taking over from Paramdeep, Visic made necessary changes to keep the players in top shape. “Top Asian teams are strong and play like men, while our girls are not so strong. Our goal was to improve this and we have progressed in that aspect,” he said.
India, despite being in an easy group with Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, will face challenges from Group B’s Lebanon and Kazakhstan. But the coach believes if India can perform to their potential, claiming promotion to Division I will not be difficult. “If the girls can perform the way they did in Taiwan, I am certain we stand every chance to qualify. Also, we are playing at home and the crowd support will also work to our advantage,” he said.
India’s schedule: July 23: vs Uzbekistan, July 25: vs Sri Lanka, Knockout rounds from July 27.