JOIN USThe Basketball Federation of India (BFI), led by K Govindraj, on Tuesday named Tamil Nadu’s S Bhaskar as the coach of the men’s national men’s for the upcoming South Asian Basketball Championship.
“We have appointed S Bhaskar as the coach of the men’s national side,” said Govindraj. “The Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach is awaiting his release papers from his employers and expected to take charge of the national team in a day or two,” he added. The national camp, which got underway at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium last week, will be overseen by the former Indian captain Reginald Rajan until the new coach takes charge.
Bhaskar, who trains his wards at the SAI centre in Mayiladuthurai, has been an influential figure in Tamil Nadu basketball as he guided the State men’s team to the Senior National Championship title in 2014, ending a 10-year wait.
Meanwhile, Govindraj also confirmed that the camp strength would be pruned to 16 by the end of the week.
Govindraj said that they were hopeful of a positive reply from the Sports Ministry which had advised the BFI not to hold any official event in the country. “I met the sports minister (Sarbananda Sonowal) early this month and put forward the situation that prevails now. I hope the Ministry will take a decision very soon, hopefully before the South Asian meet. We are expecting to hear from them any time. It will be shameful if the national team will have to suffer due to the prevailing situation,” said Govindraj.