Best player Lazer aims high

Francis Lazer, who was adjudged the best player of the New Indian Model School (NIMS) mini basketball inter-school tournament, wants to improve even further.

"I started playing basketball only two years back. Our school coach encouraged me a lot and I am happy at having bagged the Player of the Tournament award and also the winners' trophy for my school," remarked Lazer, who hails from Kollam in Kerala.

"I came from Kerala three years ago. I never played the game in Kerala. I practised hard here and improved my fitness," he added.

V.K. Mahesh, the coach of the Model School, attributed his school's victory to regular practice. "We lost in the quarterfinals last year. We were determined to do it this time."

Arash Oturkar of Cambridge School, who emerged the Most Promising Player, took to the sport while in Canada. "I am from India, but lived in Canada for a while. After coming here I have been practising regularly," Oturkar said.