K'taka basketball team leaves for Malaysia

Bangalore, Mar 6 (UNI) A nine-member Karnataka state basketball team, accompanied by two officials, left here today on a five-day tour to Malaysia.

Karnataka State Basketball Association Secretary K Govindaraj told UNI that this was the first time that the State cagers had got an opportunity to play in a foreign country.

''It will be a good exposure to the boys since they can learn more during the exhibition matches against the Malaysian National team,'' he said.

He said the nine-member team, shortlisted from 15 players, comprised M Rajashekar Varun, Darshan Janardhan Bhat, Siddharth Mohan Gujar, Syed Ajmal Mujahid, Srinivas Naik, Jairaj, K C Sriraksha, Rangana Gowda and Kaushal Ravikumar. They were accompanied by Manager H D Jayasimha and Coach Ramanath Jayaraj.

Mr Govindraj exuded confidence that the tour would certainly help the lads hone their skills and build their confidence as they would be playing against a good team on state-of-the-art indoor courts.

They would be playing four matches during their stay from March seven to 11.

UNI MSP RG AY BS1755