SHILLONG: It might not be a coveted South Asian event, but Nepal is all out to create an impression in the Invitational (International) TT tournament organised by the Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club.
The team’s intention can be judged from the fact that of its 10 players, at least four have represented the country in the junior South Asian Games on more than one occasion. Adding to it, Nepal has sent a contingent of national level players making them the team to beat in this event.
Nepal chief coach Sanjay Aryal said that he was looking forward to a great show by the juniors. “We have in our team players like Santoo Shrestha (Nepal senior champion and junior SAG bronze medalist) and Mani Kumar Lama (Junior SAG silver medalist), looking forward to a great show,” Aryal said.
Meanwhile, Bhutan might not be able to boast of such prowess, but nothing can be taken away from them given the enthusiasm with which they undertook the Shillong trip. “The event is very important for our players who need to grab any opportunity that provides exposure. In Sumit Subba we have a junior SAG player and we hope to make the best out of the event,” Bhutan manager Dala Thinley said.
Hosts Meghalaya are no pushovers either with the likes of Tanushree D Gupta and Suranjit in their ranks. While Tanushree has represented the country in the past, other players in the Satte contingent have battled it out at the national stage. Coach Banshan Diengdoh said that the players are short of practice as most of them were appearing for exams. Nevertheless he was happy with the spirited show put up by them.
