Four players from Chhattisgarh will be part of the Indian team to participate in the Under 18 Asia Cup Softball Tournament and Open Senior Category event to be held in Kochi city, Japan. The event is scheduled from June 23 to 27.
Sopan Karnewar, softball coach at Bijapur, said Rakesh Kadti and Sushil Kudiyam have been selected for Under 18 category and Trilesh Udde and Siyaram Patel in Open Men’s category.
He said Rakesh Kadti is from Awapalli, Sushil Kudiyam is from Pindumpal (Bhairamgarh) and Trilesh Udde is a resident of Mangapeta Kutru, all in Bijapur district. Siyaram Patel is from Raipur.
Karnewar said Rakesh’s father was killed in Naxalite violence and he also lost his mother at the age of 4. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) took him under their wings in Bijapur. He later joined the Bijapur Sports Academy. He has also played eight national games in which he has won five different medals. Rakesh is studying in Class 9 in the Government School Bijapur. He wants to become a softball coach after studies. Sushil Kudiyam, having played five national games, has also lost his father. His mother supports him.
In the case of Trilesh Udde, after the death of his father, the state government appointed him on compassionate grounds as a forest guard. During his visits to interior areas, he motivates tribal children to join the Bijapur Sports Academy.
Karnewar said that at present the players are undergoing training at Pondicherry.
