Netball team’s trip in jeopardy

According to NFI president Gurbir Singh, he has already met people that matter in the Sports Ministry, including Secretary Sudhir Nath, who has assured to “do something.” Gurbir is likely to meet Sports Minister MS Gill tomorrow when he returns from abroad.

But as of now, neither the squad at the SAI Western Centre in Gandhinagar, nor Gurbir have any clue whether the trip will materialise. “I am keeping my fingers crossed. If the team doesn’t go it will be really demoralising for the members as they have been toiling around for the last three months. But I am hopeful the minister will be able to do something positive,” he said.

Since netball is a discipline for the 2010 Games, this Asian meet — the first time the sport has got Government funding for an international event — will be a major stepping-stone for the youngsters, The NFI has also hired a foreign coach Mary Mercia Lourdes of Sri Lanka, who has earlier coached her national team to an Asian title. She has also trained Maldives and Taiwan.