The Plunge

A promising basketball player, Sakshi Mehta from Pitampura has proved her mettle in the game. No wonder, she is becoming a nonpareil team member -Deeksha Ahuja Pitampura

Girls are not lagging behind in any field from boys. It might sound a bit clichéd but meeting Sakshi Mehta from Pitampura can really make anybody proud. A student of Montfort School, Ashok Vihar, Sakshi got into St Stephen’s College through her consummate sporting skills in basketball. At present, she is pursuing her bachelors in English in first year from this college.Sakshi burst on to the local basketball scene in 2006 in her school. "I started playing basketball when I was in 9th standard and has been the captain of the girl’s basketball team," says the reticent girl. Sakshi was the top scorer in Ramjas School Basketball Tournament last year and did her school proud by grabbing the first position in inter-zonal tournaments in 2005-06 and 2006-07.Daughter of Yogesh Mehta, an international softball player, this talented young girl has not only played for her school but for her state as well. “My father always encouraged me and boosted up my confidence to proceed further,” shares Sakshi. She has played in two National School games, Under-19 Basketball Girls Tournament in 2006 which was held in Delhi and got gold medal for being the captain of the team. At the 58th Junior National Basketball Championship in 2007 which was held in Anandpur, Andhra Pradesh, her team secured second position for her school. Sakshi owes her success to her father and coach VP Narula who inspired her to take up basketball as a sport. "I couldn’t have achieved success without the support of my family and my coach. My parents have supported me through thick and thin," says Sakshi.She won a bronze medal in C.B.S.E National Sports Meet in 2007. She also participated in 23rd Youth National Basketball Championship and 53rd National School Games which was held in Gotin, Rajasthan last year.However, Sakshi is plagued by apprehension about the future of basketball in India. She hopes this particular sport doesn’t turn out to be a typical basket case. “In our country, other than cricket, no other sport is patronized and encouraged. Same is with basketball. In any case, I am determined to persevere in this sport and do something exceptional,’’ says this feisty young girl.This Virgo girl doesn’t socialise much and prefers to spend hours practising in the basketball court. When not studying or practising, Sakhi spends her time with her parents discussing lot of things under the sun. And, she is also a rock music freak and never gives it a miss.