Indian Railways finish winless in Bengaluru FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia

Indian Railways ended their FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia campaign in Bengaluru with three defeats, but coach Anitha Pauldurai said the tournament showed the standard her players must prepare for.

The side found the physicality, fitness and tactical quality of leading Asian opponents difficult to match. Pauldurai said the team had limited time together before the competition, though she saw improved coordination over the final two matches.

“The federation has to think beyond preparing just for the Asia Cup,” she said, calling for five or six exposure tournaments each year, including invitation events and overseas trips for under-16 and under-18 players.

Captain Pushpa Senthil Kumar said matches against teams from Japan and Korea exposed the squad’s lack of experience at that level. Rashi Kothari, who scored eight points against Akari Sparks on Saturday, said the team improved with each game.

Harshitha Kelttira Bopaiah said national-team camps often last only a month or two, and called for a grassroots programme and six months to a year of preparation.