India will benefit from the exposure, says Prakash

NEW DELHI (2016 FIBA Asia Challenge) - India will benefit from the exposure at the FIBA Asia Challenge according to head coach Sat Prakash.

India will play in Group B against Philippines and Chinese Taipei. All three teams from their respective groups will qualify to the second round group stages where India will face Group A teams Jordan, Kazakhstan and a team they beat in 2014, China. 

Seven out of India’s twelve players selected for the FIBA Asia Challenge featured in that historic game. Amritpal Singh, Yadwinder Singh, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Rikin Pethani, Prasanna Sivakumar, Akilan Pari and Amjoyt Singh, the latter led the team in scoring that day with 13 points.

“The event will prove to be a good exposure to the team,” he said.

“The quality of the competition is extremely good as most teams will field their best players because they are currently no major events. The boys are in good shape, and I’m hoping for the best from them” he added.

India proved to be a class of their own at the South Asian level, as they steamrolled through opponents through Nepal, Maldives and Bangladesh to win the SABA Championship and qualify for the FIBA Asia Challenge.

To prepare for the FIBA Asia Challenge, the team underwent extensive training at the preparatory camp at Nitte in Udupi district, and Prakash feels that the players now physically fit and ready.

“They boys have had a good training and are physically fit. We will strive to improve our rankings by putting up a good performance in Tehran.” He concluded.

FIBA