India’s representation at the World University Games to be held at Bangkok from August 9 will be a strong one, with the country’s top sportspersons named in the 53-member squad that the Sports Ministry has cleared. Top names in the squad include shooter Amanpreet Singh, shot-putter Sourabh Vij, tennis sisters Ankita and Sanaa Bhambri and swimmer Rehan Poncha.The Indian contingent leaves on August 7 and will be represented in five disciplines: athletics, badminton, shooting, swimming and tennis. The open selection trials were conducted in coordination with Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and the concerned federations.International skeet shooter AD Peoples and air pistol shooter Amanpreet are among the 23 shooters for the world meet. SAF Games medallists and the Delhi based Vij are among the five athletes selected.Women form the stronger section of the tennis squad, with Ankita and Sanaa leading.In swimming, the officials believe there isn't much of a chance of a podium finish, but Poncha and Sandeep Sejawal are among an eight-member squad including four women.There aren't any big names in badminton, said one of the SAI officials. The squad comprises nine members.According to an official of the National Rifle Association of India shooters have good podium prospects. Top guns can capture medals. Most of them have lots of international experience. “It will be good opportunity for us to showcase our talent,” Peoples said.But in athletics, which is the biggest attraction of any global competition, besides Sourabh, Monica Joon (discus), Satnam Singh (800m), A. Vijala (800m) and Mayookha Johny (long jump) have been selected.Only nine athletes had attended the trials. Some top university athletes are in the doping scandal. That could have kept them away from the trials. But Bharatha Reddy, who was among the nine offenders, participated in the 400m race. He clocked 48.29 seconds. He also attended the camp, but left the camp today. He holds the inter-varsity record of 47.1 seconds.In athletics, going by the past results, and at the same time taking into account the current performance of the athletes who attended the trials, chances of winning a medal is slim. But if they repeat their trials performance at least they will be able to reach the top 10 in their respective groups.According to one of the national coaches, shot putter Sourabh Vij, who is among the five athletes selected for Bangkok, has a decent chance of reaching the final round, provided he is able to repeat his plus 18m performance.In the jus- concluded Asian Championships in Jordan, he could only manage a throw of 17.19m. But in the Pune leg of the Asian Grand Prix his best throw was 18.51m, which has raised hopes of a good position in the world competition.
