Sport - Basketball

Punjab men ready to win
By Kamesh Srinivasan

LUDHIANA, MARCH 4. ``Ready to win ?'' That is what the banners around the city scream, on the eve of the Airtel 52nd National basketball championship to be conducted at the Guru Nanak Sports Complex here.

With the Basketball Federation of India coming to the rescue of the championship, after Maharashtra cried off at the last moment in December when the event was set to be held in Pune, it is no surprise that big groups, Airtel and Trident, have been associated with this edition.

Obviously, Punjab men would be ready to win, especially so after they had reconfirmed their supremacy at the expense of Tamil Nadu in the National Games held here three months back. Punjab will be tough to beat, more so in its backyard.

But then, Tamil Nadu has been improving considerably over a period of time, and is a force to reckon with, irrespective of where it plays. It showed its worth in the last two editions, winning the titles in Delhi and Bangalore. Who knows, it may perform a hat-trick. The weather is pleasant, and with the matches being played in two indoor halls, with few matches relegated to the outdoor court, it should be an engrossing excerise, following the fortunes of the leading teams.

The top three teams from the two superleague groups make it to the quarterfinals, while the other two slots will be fought between 15 teams.

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh form group `A', while Railways, Punjab, Jharkhand, Services and West Bengal form group `B'. Lest someone wonder how Jharkhand squeezed into such an elite group, it may be clarified that it is virtually the TISCO team, in the absence of Bihar.

Railways women have an edge

In the women's section, Railways will be the overwhelming favourite. Maharashtra had won the National Games title, but figures in the qualifying league, as it is bereft of the key Railway players.

There was activity on the organisational front, while the players took it easy. Most of the teams were on their way, travelling from different corners of the country for days by train. There were doubts about some teams, because of the general uncertainty in some places. With the Annual General Meeting scheduled on March 11, set to consider the fielding of the Indian teams for various international competitions, especially in the junior sections, the young lot will have a lot play for and impress people who matter.

With matches scheduled from 7 a.m. on Tuesday, it will not be long before lively action unfolds.

No matter whoever wins the title, it will be basketball that will be the eventual winner, for conducting a national championship with about 50 teams in the men's and women's sections is indeed a gigantic task.

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