India names 12-member team for Jr Asian Championship

Bangalore, June 28 (UNI) Teen sensation Sania Nehwal, who won the four-star Philippines Open last month, figures among the 12-member team of six boys and as many girls selected to represent the country in the Junior Asian Badminton Championship to be held at Kuala Lumpur from July three to nine.

Announcing the team here today, Coach Sanjiv Sachdeva said the team would leave on June 30.

Commenting on Nehwal's chances, former National Coach Vimal Kumar told UNI that the youngster from Andhra Pradesh had a good chance of winning the championship.

''Though players from China and a few talents from Korea, will be the main contenders, Sania stands a good chance to win the title. It will be a fine opportunity for Ruth Misha and Gayathri Vartak to hone their skills through this international exposure. As for the Boys team, it may find the competition stiff. However, Jishnu Sanyal has had some good exposure earlier and Akshay Diwakar is also highly talented. I am hoping some of them to reach the quarterfinal stage.

If they do this, it can be termed as a very good performance,'' he added.

Following is the team: Boys: Jishnu Sanyal, Akshay Diwakar, Srujan Nandaluri, Arun Vishnu, Ram C Vijay and Arun Nandaluri.

Girls: Sania Nehwal, Ruth Misha, Gayatri Vartak, Nitya Sosale, Ashwini Ponnappa and Nischita.

Coaches: Sanjiv Sachdeva and S Blachandran Nair.

UNI RS RG DH RAI2046