Coimbatore: The sixth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games kicked off here on Sunday, with the city hosting basketball matches. Both the Tamil Nadu men’s and women’s basketball teams put up a dominant performance in their respective openers.
While the men defeated Karnataka 99-72, the women’s team registered a thumping 109-45 win over Chandigarh. Both matches were played at the PSG Medical College Stadium and backed by a sizeable home crowd.
While the women’s match was more of a one-sided affair, the men’s match had spectators on the edge of their seats.While TN took a 23–13 lead in the first quarter, Karnataka fought back scoring 25 points in the second and third quarters to make it 69-63. However, Tamil Nadu fought back in the last quarter by scoring 30 points, while Karnatka scored just 9 points.
B Palanivignesh, coach, Tamil Nadu men’s basketball team said, “We lost the rhythm in the second and third quarters. However, our boys came together as a unit and put up a spirited display.” Speaking on the facilities at the games, he acknowledged that the accommodation and transport arrangements were good. “Air-conditioned rooms have been provided for both coaches and players,” he added.
Three of the 12 players in Tamil Nadu’s men’s team are from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).
One of those players Sam Laxwin said, “The Tamil Nadu government is providing us with very good diet and hostel facilities. We are also provided with shoes, and jerseys, in addition to excellent coaching. All these have boosted our performance. We hope to win all the upcoming matches and finish as the champions.”
While the men defeated Karnataka 99-72, the women’s team registered a thumping 109-45 win over Chandigarh. Both matches were played at the PSG Medical College Stadium and backed by a sizeable home crowd.
While the women’s match was more of a one-sided affair, the men’s match had spectators on the edge of their seats.While TN took a 23–13 lead in the first quarter, Karnataka fought back scoring 25 points in the second and third quarters to make it 69-63. However, Tamil Nadu fought back in the last quarter by scoring 30 points, while Karnatka scored just 9 points.
B Palanivignesh, coach, Tamil Nadu men’s basketball team said, “We lost the rhythm in the second and third quarters. However, our boys came together as a unit and put up a spirited display.” Speaking on the facilities at the games, he acknowledged that the accommodation and transport arrangements were good. “Air-conditioned rooms have been provided for both coaches and players,” he added.
Three of the 12 players in Tamil Nadu’s men’s team are from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).
One of those players Sam Laxwin said, “The Tamil Nadu government is providing us with very good diet and hostel facilities. We are also provided with shoes, and jerseys, in addition to excellent coaching. All these have boosted our performance. We hope to win all the upcoming matches and finish as the champions.”