The team has a mix of veterans and promising youngsters with Anitha Paul Durai, seven-time Asian Championship player, being the captain. Durai regained match fitness after missing out most of last year due to motherhood.
"I have captained the side in 2005 and then in the 2012 Asian Beach Games where we won gold. This time everyone is junior than me but the positive is that everyone will listen to me. Our goal is to maintain 5th position by beating Thailand," she said.
Among the talented new faces are 19-year-old point guard Kavita Akula from Chhattisgarh (who has successfully completed the four year scholarship programme at IMG Academy) and 17-year-old Karnataka player Bhandavya HM. The two youngsters have already represented India at the junior age group levels, and will be eager to compete against senior international opponents.
Head Coach Francisco Garcia said she was looking forward to the championship. She trained her wards by playing practice matches against local boys club sides based out of Bengaluru.
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