Two Tamil Nadu paddlers in India squad for Junior Asiad

Kaushani Nath of West Bengal and Varuni of Andhra Pradesh are a part of the team that is coached by Subroto Roy. 

This would be Selena and Harshavardhini’s first appearance in the championship that acts as a qualification tournament for the Junior World Championship scheduled later this year. 

Selena’s coach S Arul Selvi said her ward has prepared well and is confident of a good show. “She has trained well and put in a lot of hard work for the event. The Asians are the best in business and Selena and her team have to raise their level, should they hope of a good show,” Arul Selvi said. 

The XIIth standard student of Good Shepherd School had already played against the Chinese in the Indian Open, that concluded in Indore earlier this month. “She lost to a higher ranked Chinese player in the decider. Hopefully she can use that experience to up the ante in Bangkok,” the coach hoped. 

The 16-year-old, who also trains under national coaches Vasu and Ravi Venkatesh in MVM Table Tennis Academy hopes to be an all-round player soon. “She used to be a defensive player. If she has to shine on the international arena, her offensive side should also be strong. We are preparing her to be a complete all-round player as that is what makes a good international player,” Arul Selvi added.