Reducing the margin of defeat has been the main goal for the Sri Lankan basketball team whenever they have played India in the past.

 

This time around, they are keen to raise the bar. An upset is what they are aiming at when the teams go head to head in the South Asian Basketball Championship, which gets under way at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru from Friday.

 

“In the past, whenever, we played India, we looked to reduce the margin of defeat. But this time, my boys will be looking for a win when they face India,” said a confident Sri Lankan coach Panduka Ranasinghe on Wednesday.

 

“We can do well this time. Last time (in 2014), we lost to Bangladesh by two points. We have to overcome Bangladesh first and then look at other games, one at a time. Our main ambition is to win, no matter what.

 

“We are not here to lower our margin of defeat, but to win the tournament,” said the Lankan coach.

 

At the 2014 meet, the island nation finished third by winning two of their four games. The two losses came against India (30-97) and Bangladesh (70-72). 

 

The coach said his team was well prepared for the challenge that awaits them.

 

“We have had a month-long camp and the team was selected a week ago. The camp has helped us in preparing for this tournament. And it has been good. 

 

“Some of the guys have benefitted from the Sri Lankan league, giving them good amount of match practice. I have had to work only on their mental conditioning part. Without mental preparation, we cannot play a tournament like this,” he said.

 

With experienced campaigners Roshan Randima and Chamath Danawamsa in their ranks, Ranasinghe said the Lankans will have to work on their shooting and make the rebounds count if they are to make an impact in the tournament.

 

“We have to concentrate on our shooting. And rebounds are also important. We need to make the most of the opportunities we get. 

 

“We have some special strategies. It may be unorthodox, but it will be effective,” he quipped, looking forward to a strong showing from his boys.

 

Early visitors

 

The Lankan side ran into some problems as they arrived a day earlier, with the terraflex courts still being laid at the indoor stadium. 

 

The visitors had to practice on the slippery outdoor court, borrowing balls from the DYES team that was going through its practice routine at an adjacent court.

 

The Basketball Federation of India Secretary General Chander Mukhi Sharma said the team’s early arrival had caused the problem. “We had informed them (the teams) that the facilities will be made available only from July 2,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Maldives team also arrived in the city.

(Deccan Herald)