Indian women's softball team received a wild card entry because of their regular participation at the Asian championships…
Digital Desk: Softball Association of India (SBAI) on Monday announced a 16-member Indian women's team, which will compete for the first time in the 2017 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Softball is making its debut at the continental competition, which begins on September 23. The squad, which also includes a standby and three reserves, was announced by SBAI. It was chosen following trials for the probables list, which were followed by a two-week coaching camp-cum-trials held in Delhi in June-July.
Indian women's softball team received a wild card entry because of their regular participation at the Asian championships.
The executive committee of Softball Asia authorized India's wild card admission in February of this year, SBAI said in a media release.
SBAI president Neetal Narang stated, "The participation of the Indian women's softball team in the Asian Games signifies the opportunity for our players to shine and prove their mettle against the best teams in the continent.”
"Moreover, this milestone also holds the promise of inspiring future generations of young athletes, particularly girls, to take up softball as a sport of choice," Neetal Narang added.
Maharashtra, the current national champions, provided the most players (five) for the Indian team.
While there is one player each from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Punjab each contributed three and two girls.
Softball was a medal sport at the Olympics in Tokyo and will be again at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
SBAI president stated, “Performing at the Asian Games is our first step and comes with a huge responsibility as we aspire to be a strong team ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”
"We are taking Hangzhou as a strong platform towards our goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics," Narang added.
The squad includes the following players:
Aishwarya Ramesh Puri, Aishwarya Sunil Bodke, Monali Mansing Natu, Swapnali C. Waydnade, Saee Anil Joshi, Anjali Pallikkara, Stephy Saji, Rinta Cheriyan, Mamatha Guguloth, Ganga Sona, Mamta Minhas, Sandeep Kaur, Kumari Manisha, Isha, Swetasini Sabar, Nitya Malvi, Priyanka Baghel (standby).
Reserves: Manisha Kumari, Priti Verma, Chitra.
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