BENGALURU (India) - Anitha Pauldurai, head coach of Indian Railways, is enthusiastic about the team's upcoming participation in the FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia), marking their first appearance in this international tournament. Pauldurai emphasizes the importance of international exposure for the growth of her players and expresses excitement over competing against some of the continent's best teams.
Read More
This will be the first time Pauldurai coaches in a FIBA club competition, but her extensive background in international basketball, including nearly two decades with the national team, is expected to guide the Railways through the event scheduled for October 20-25. Pauldurai mentioned her previous playing experiences in Thailand and China, noting that this is a significant opportunity for her players as they gain their first exposure to an international league.
She hopes that the experience will contribute positively not only to the Railways but also to the wider landscape of women's basketball in India. The Railways have a storied domestic legacy, winning 41 championships, and Pauldurai sees this tournament as a chance to further that success on an international level.
"The league is most important to get exposure, especially at a younger age," she stated. The matches will take place in Bengaluru, a city she refers to as well-connected and familiar to the team. The Railways are placed in Group B alongside Japan's Denso Iris and Korea's Cheongju KB Stars, who are considered strong competitors based on their histories in the league.
While Pauldurai acknowledges the challenges ahead, she insists that the focus will be on enjoying the experience rather than the opposition. "We're not thinking about who we're up against, if it's Japan or China or Korea. We'll just play our own strategy," she said, underscoring her aim for the team to appreciate the journey ahead.