Bangalore, India, April 21, 2005 – Indian head coach G E Sridharan is hoping his side will take the quick path to the 2006 Men’s World Championship final round in Japan by winning the 2006 Men’s World Championship second round tournament (Asia Pool E) which will be held in Chennai from June 24-26.

''Our aim is to qualify for the final round,” Sridharan said. “If we win the second round tournament, it will be a great achievement as India has not reached the final round of the World Championships since 1956. The training camp is going very well at the Sports Authority of India, Southern Centre. We are concentrating a lot on physical fitness as well as technical and tactical skills. The boys are working very hard.''

India has participated twice at the World Championships, finishing in 8th spot in 1952 and 21st in 1956 in the days when teams were only required to play one round.

Now, in 2005, India must play China, first round winner’s Indonesia and another first round winner to see who will claim the ticket on offer to the final round in Japan next year. The second placed team will go into a three-team playoff for another chance to go to Japan.

''However, I want India to advance from the second round itself,'' Sridharan said. 'We have a golden chance and we should not miss it. We missed a similar chance in Qatar in 2001 and narrowly lost. Since this time the event is held in India, I hope we will do better. Everybody knows that this is the final chance for us and the boys are doing their best.''

Sridharan said that after winning the Asian Championship in 2003, India’s morale has risen substantially. ''Our boys played five sets with China and last year in Dubai, our team also exhibited good skills. They beat China in straight sets and also defeated Korea.''

Sridharan also confirmed that 18 players were involved in the training camp and the same team might enter the World Championships. ''However, we may include players from the youth and junior teams which are also undergoing training,' he said.'

The youth team is currently preparing for the Asian Youth Championship, to be held in Iran from May 13 to 20, while 16 players from the Junior national team are training for the U-21 World Championship, to be held in Visakhapatnam from August 6-14.

Story courtesy of United News of India