Vigneshwar ready for challenges
September 5, 2017
Reference: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/vigneshwar-ready-for-challenges/article19623177.ece
Vigneshwar Upadhyay of Boys Sports Company (BSC) and Telangana is in the 16-member Indian squad for the South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) championships that will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal from September 5 to 9.
The winner of the five teams playing here will advance to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian youth championships in China, the venue and dates for which are still to be announced.
Contrary to common belief that tall players are tardy on court, the 6’3” high hoopster is the first to fall back in defence, said his coach Patil Vijaysinh.
“Going by his speed and agility, I pressed him into the role of power forward,” said the Sports Authority of India’s senior basketball coach. Son of a farmer from Kisandaspur in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, Vigneshwar joined the Artillery Centre, Golconda’s BSC in August 2015.
A gold medal winner in the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) Indian Schools League, Vigneshwar figured prominently in Hyderabad’s two title triumphs on the trot in the Telangana state under-16 championships and steered the state to victory in the lower pool of the Youth National championships held in July.
“Very disciplined, he follows instructions to the letter. Not only does he assist well, he pounces on the offensive and defensive rebounds. What makes him a favourite with coaches is that he covers up the team’s weaknesses very well,” Patil said. Encouragement from Brig Rohit Butalia, Commandant, Artillery Centre and Lt. Col. Mandeep Singh, Officer in Charge, BSC, was unwavering, thanks to which each of the 16-year-old’s financial and technical needs was taken care of, he added.
