Gujarat Junior and Youth Girls ready for Indore meet
Gandhidham, Mar.12: Gujarat Junior and Youth Girls are all set to make their presence felt at the 82nd Junior and Youth National Table Tennis Championships 2020 that gets underway at Indore on Saturday. Junior team will be led by Aafrien Murad of Surat while in the Youth category all eyes will be on Kavisha Parekh of Bhavnagar.
Aafrien kicked off 2021 on a high note with the Junior Girls crown at Gandhidham. The justify-handed paddler will once again rely on her forehand attack, which came handy during the State championships last month. She will have the company of Namna Jayswal (Bhavnagar), Milli Tanna (Surat) and Kausha Bhairapure (Ahmedabad) in the Junior competition.
Surat’s Filzahfatema Kadri has got a wild card entry in the Junior section and has withdrawn from the Youth event. All will start the campaign with a qualifying round.
Even in the Youth category, Aafrien will be key for Gujarat’s success. She has been in a phenomenal touch and has the potential to cause an upset or two. Kavisha, on the other hand will have to be more consistent as she will be looking forward to making her mark. Kausha and Charmi Patel, especially who made it to the team after Filzah’s withdrawal is eager to make the most of the opportunity that has come her way.
“Girls have a lot of promise. Filzah has shown Gujarat has talent, with a bronze in Sub Junior event in 2017. They have the ability to win in national competition, for that they have to believe in themselves. GSTTA is very optimistic,” said Vipul Mittra, president GSTTA.
Keeping faith in his players, GSTTA honorary secretary Haresh Sangtani, said, “All the players are committed and have practiced for the Indore meet. During the State Championships here in Gandhidham, they showcased their high-class fitness level. These are good signs,” said Sangtani
Teams:
Junior : Aafrien Murad (Surat), Namna Jayswal (Bhavnagar), Milli Tanna (Surat), Kausha Bhairapure (Ahmedabad)
Youth : Aafrien Murad (Surat), Kausha Bhairapure (Ahmedabad), Charmi Patel (Bhavnagar) Kavisha Parekh (Bhavnagar)
Coach: Sonal Joshi (Bhavnagar), Bhaumik Oza (SAG)