The road to Singapore began with hope and excitement in Kathmandu, and by the end of the week, India had finished on top in both the boys’ and girls’ events at the ITF Asia 12&U Team Competition, Regional Qualifying Event of South Asia. The top seeds did well throughout the week and signed off with two more strong team wins to confirm their place at the top in both draws.
On the final day, the Indian boys’ team defeated Pakistan 3-0, while the Indian girls’ team also signed off with a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka. Those results completed an excellent week for India, who had come into the event as the No. 1 seeds in both draws and left Kathmandu with exactly the kind of finish they would have wanted.
In the boys’ event, India finished first and Pakistan took second place. In the title-deciding tie, Thanush BC, Riaan Nandankar, and the doubles pair of Dhanush Sankapura and Riaan Nandankar all came through in straight sets against Pakistan. It was a strong statement from the Indian boys, who looked composed and in control when it mattered most.
In the girls’ event, India also finished first, with Nepal ending the week in second place. On the last day, India beat Sri Lanka 3-0, with Chaudhary Meera Singh, Asees Kaur, and the doubles pair of Priyangsi Chatterjee and Asees Kaur all winning in straight sets as well. It was another polished display, and a fitting way to wrap up the campaign.
That final day only added to what had already been a strong week for the Indian teams. But this event was about more than just finishing first in Kathmandu. As the tournament preview had underlined at the start, this South Asia competition is one of the regional qualifying stops on the 2026 pathway to the ATF 12&U Team Competition Finals in Singapore, scheduled for 15 to 20 September.
That is why every tie mattered so much. At this age, results are important, but team spirit, discipline and handling pressure for your country matter just as much. Many teams showed those qualities in Kathmandu, but India was the most consistent in both draws.
For the hosts and the other teams too, the week was still an important part of the journey. Nepal had a memorable run to second place in the girls’ event, while Pakistan finished second in the boys’ draw after a good campaign of their own. And as always at this level, the tournament also offered something bigger than the score lines, a first taste of international team competition for many of the young players, and a valuable step in their development.
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