MEDAN (2015 FIBA Asia U16 Women’s Championship) – Uzbekistan lost all their games in Level II competition here, but for coach Stepan Lebedev every defeat was a valuable learning experience.

"At this stage of their life, every game is a learning experience for these girls. The result of the game doesn’t matter at all," the 68-year-old said.

“Some people might think that losing games by an average of 33.8 points would be an embarrassment, but I advise the girls not to feel down and use each loss as a valuable learning experience.”

Lebedev, who was initially named as the assistant coach of the team had to take reins at the helm after the senior coach Vladimir Arefev was laid down by health issues.

“Two weeks ago I was informed that I will be in charge of the team because the head coach has health problems and will not be able to travel,” Lebedev said.

"The absence of a senior man like Arefev always affects," Lebedev said.

 “The whole team was very upset by the absence of the coach," he said.

FIBA