Softball Association of India (SBAI) on Monday announced the country's 16-member women's contingent that will travel to Hangzhou, China for the 19th Asian Games scheduled from September 23 to October 8. As per a press release from SBAI, after trials for the probable’s list, followed by a two-week coaching camp-cum-trials held in Delhi in June-July, the Softball Association of India (SBAI) - the governing body of the sport in the country - has named a 16-member squad along with standby & three reserves. Asian Games 2023: Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia Break Silence on Receiving Criticism for Accepting Trial Exemption

Reigning national champions Maharashtra contributed the maximum number of players in the Indian team. Five girls from the state got a place in the national squad. Kerala and Punjab contributed three and two girls, respectively, while there is a player each from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. Olympic Medalist Ravi Dahiya Won't Go to Asian Games 2023, Knocked out of Trials by Atish Todkar

"The participation of the Indian women's softball team in the Asian Games signifies the opportunity for our players to shine and prove their mettle against the best teams in the continent, including Tokyo Olympics champion Japan and world-ranked number three Chinese Taipei. Moreover, this milestone also holds the promise of inspiring future generations of young athletes, particularly girls, to take up softball as a sport of choice," said Neetal Narang, the first woman president of the Softball Association of India.

Considering the Indian women's softball team's regular participation in the Asian championships, Softball Asia granted a wild card entry to India.

India's wild card admission was approved by Softball Asia’s executive committee in February this year.

Softball is making its debut in the 19th edition of the Asian Games and will also be a medal sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Earlier, it was also a medal sport in the last edition of the quadrennial games in 2020 Tokyo.

"Performing at the Asian Games is our first step and comes with a huge responsibility as we aspire to be a strong team ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We are taking Hangzhou as a strong platform towards our goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics," added Narang.

Team India Softball Squad: Aishwarya Ramesh Puri, Aishwarya Sunil Bodke, Monali Mansing Natu, Swapnali C. Waydnade, Saee Anil Joshi, Anjali Pallikkara, Stephy Saji, Rinta Cheriyan, Mamatha Guguloth, Ganga Sona, Mamta Minhas, Sandeep Kaur, Kumari Manisha, Isha, Swetasini Sabar, Nitya Malvi

Standby: Priyanka Baghel

Reserves: Manisha Kumari, Priti Verma, Chitra. (ANI)

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