There is no hiding the fact that India is the lowest-ranked team, at 52, among the eight countries taking part in Division-A of the FIBA Asian women’s under-18 basketball championship to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here from September 5 to 11.
While the top four teams from here will qualify for the FIBA under-19 World Cup to be held in Madrid, India will hope against hope to finish in the top eight and remain in Division-A.
“The cream of world basketball and not just Asian basketball is here. It will be a big challenge for India. Six teams are too good as they are all world-class teams. Between Taipei and Indonesia, Taipei is stronger. The only way to remain in Division-A is to beat Indonesia,” said Veselin Matic, head coach of the Indian men’s team, after watching the Chinese and Korean teams practise here on Sunday.
