LBA boys emerge champions, girls secure second position

Our Sports Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 2

Trainees from the Ludhiana Basketball Academy (LBA) proved their mettle as they emerged champions in the boys’ section and finished as first runners-up in the girl’s category during the Youth (U-17) Punjab Basketball Championship held from April 28 to May 1 at Kapurthala.

The players of the position holding teams were given a rousing reception at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

They were received by the officer-bearers of the Ludhiana District Basketball Association, including Teja Singh Dhaliwal, Vijay Chopra, JP Singh, Balkar Singh Brar, Ravinder Singh, District Sports Officer.

They appreciated the players on this achievement and wished them more success in the upcoming Youth National Championship.

Others who were present included coaches Rajinder Singh, Brij Behari, Davinder Pal Singh, Jaspal Singh, Saloni, Narinder Kumar and Ravinder Kumar.

In the boy’s section, LBA trainees wrapped up all their matches in the super league phase to stamp their superiority and bag top honours.

The LBA thrashed Patiala district 40-10, overwhelmed Jalandhar district 49-25 and then routed SAS Nagar (Mohali) 40-15 to romp home as champions.

Jalandhar district secured the second position while Patiala district finished at the third place and SAS Nagar had to satisfy with fourth spot.

In the girl’s category, LBA players wrapped up their first match in the super league quite easily as they trounced Bathinda district 43-23.

In the next encounter against SAS Nagar, LBA girls waged a spirited battle before losing it narrowly 69-73. However, in the third match, LBA trainees overpowered hosts Kapurthala 48-42 that also fetched them the second position.

Kapurthala district came out as champions while the third and fourth positions were attained by SAS Nagar and Bathinda district, respectively.

Performance during the championship would be taken into consideration while finalising the Punjab teams for the 36th Youth National Basketball Championship scheduled to be held from May 14 to 21 at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, said Teja Singh Dhailwal, secretary, Punjab Basketball Association.