13 girls to represent state at Khelo India Games

Ludhiana: As many as 13 girls have been qualified for the state judo camp and will represent the state at upcoming Khelo India Games, which will begin from December 9 at Punjab University campus.

The name of the selected girls are — Savitri (19) in 63kg weight category; Padma (18) in 52kg weight category; Geeta (20) in t48kg weight category; Balbir Kaur (19) in 78kg weight category; Vaneeta (22) in 78kg weight category; Simran (20) in 70kg weight category; Kajal Saini (19) in 57kg weight category; Amandeep Kaur (18) ,Tulika maan (18) in open weight category; Mona (18) in 48kg weight category; Uravashi (22) in 57kg weight category and Besto Devi (23) in 48kg weight category.

Talking about her selection, one of the girls said, “We have been practicing at Punjab sports department judo training center for last few years under the guidance of our coach, Parveen Thakur. Judo is not an easy sport as it requires strength and stamina to tackle the opposition during a fight. I am happy that I have qualified and will represent the state at the Khelo India Games.”

District sports officer, Ravinder Singh, said, “Sports department is proud of the efforts put in by the girls and the coach. We are confident that they will make the state proud and bring laurels.”

Few months back, four girls from the center qualified for the Commonwealth judo championship. The championship was held in Jaipur. In junior age category matches, Prince Kumar (13) clinched gold medal in the 38kg weight category. In senior category, Nitish Batish (25) secured silver medal in 55kg weight category. In master category, Deepika (35) bagged bronze medal in 70kg weight category. In men’s master category, Kishor Kumar won gold medal in 73kg weight category.