The Roll Ball Federation of India (RBFI) today said the Indian men's and women's teams are in good form and will vie for top honours in the 2nd South Asian Championship to be held at Dhaka from September 10.
Addressing a press conference here, General Secretary of RBFI Raju R Dabhade, who was flanked by the Jharkhand Roll Ball Association president Manoj Yadav and secretary Chandeshwar Kumar, who is also the coach of the Indian men's team, said the defending world champion is in a very good form along with the women's team.
South Asian nations Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would also take part in the championship.
"This event would be followed by the 11th Senior National Roll Ball Championship, which will be held in Patna from October 30," Dabhade said adding the two events would hold significance for the players as the Indian team for the 1st Afro-Asian Roll Ball Championship to be held in Kampala, Uganda from November 26 would be picked after these events.
The Indian men's and women's teams emerged champions, defeating Iran and Kenya respectively in the 2nd World Cup held in Nairobi, Kenya in October last.
Claiming that Roll Ball has plenty of opportunity for growth, Dabhade said altogether 54 countries across the world have taken up the game within a span of ten years while 35 of them have been taking part in international events organised by the International Roll Ball Federation.
"Our focus is now to get the event recognised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which had de-listed it about a year ago," he said.
The RBFI also hailed private steel major Tata Steel for providing facilities to the Indian teams, currently undergoing a coaching camp.
"We appreciate Tata Steel for providing us facilities at the JRD Tata Sports complex as it will help the Indian team to excel in the coming event in Dhaka," Dabhade added.
