Tashmeet Kaur from Ludhiana Shines Bright as India Clinches U‑16 Girls Basketball Gold at SABA Qualifiers.
Ludhiana starlet Tashmeet Kaur illuminated the court as the only Punjabi athlete selected for the Indian U‑16 girls basketball team, which triumphed at the South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) qualifying tournament in the Maldives from June 12–15, 2025. Her dynamic play helped propel the team to a commanding gold-medal performance.
Tashmeet’s journey exemplifies dedication. Starting Class 8, she quickly rose through the ranks. Today, as a student of DAV Public School, Pakhowal Road, she balances rigorous early-morning and evening practices—a testament to her discipline, reinforced by her mother Pardeep Kaur’s dual background as a boxer and physical education instructor. At the Maldives event, India asserted dominance, defeating Bangladesh, host-nation Maldives, and Sri Lanka in decisive fashion. In the gold-medal match, they outclassed Sri Lanka by over 50 points—Tashmeet contributing with calm precision and sharp shooting.
This triumph marks one among several milestones. Tashmeet claimed a bronze medal at the recent Khelo India Games in Patna and has been a fixture in national-level school competitions, showcasing her consistent climb in Indian youth basketball. Speaking with pride, her coach Saloni—also part of the national coaching staff—highlighted Tashmeet’s relentless work ethic and adaptability. “She was the only player from Punjab selected through the India camp held in Chennai. Despite recently joining us at Guru Nanak Stadium, she has shown tremendous promise,” Saloni noted.
Recognising her potential, the national coaching staff has shortlisted Tashmeet for the upcoming Asia Cup Championship camp next month. Twenty athletes will compete for the final Indian squad spot in September’s tournament, to be held in Malaysia. Representatives from the Punjab Basketball Association, including R.S. Gill (President) and Teja Singh Dhaliwal (Secretary General), extended enthusiastic congratulations to Tashmeet and coach Saloni, expressing hope that this gold heralds further international success.
Building on a Legacy of Sporting Excellence from Ludhiana
Tashmeet’s success is part of a broader sporting surge from Ludhiana. Last month, Japleen Kaur—a 17-year-old speed skater from Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School—won an impressive three gold medals at the 68th National School Games in New Delhi, earning acclaim as a future national contender. In addition, two girls from Ludhiana, Harwinder Kaur and Navdeep Kaur, helped the Indian women’s baseball team secure silver at the Women’s Asian Baseball Cup Qualifiers in Bangkok—an achievement that also secured qualification for the upcoming Asian Cup in China.
These achievements reflect Ludhiana’s growing tradition of producing elite sportspersons across diverse fields—from basketball and skating to baseball and beyond.
Tashmeet’s achievement uplifts aspiring players across Punjab, showcasing that athletes from smaller cities can succeed on international stages. Early success at the SABA qualifiers and Khelo India Games spotlights India’s emerging talent pool, encouraging investments in youth training infrastructure. As girls from Punjab shine across varied disciplines—from deaf table tennis to basketball—gender parity in regional sports continues to advance.
What’s Next for Tashmeet and the Team
The spotlight now shifts to the Asia Cup Championship camp, where Tashmeet and 19 other hopefuls will compete for selection. A strong performance could secure her participation in the Asia Cup in Malaysia this September. Parallelly, events like the PGTI golf tournament on home turf and Ludhiana’s athletic meets—including javelin, sprinting, and more—highlight the city’s comprehensive sporting environment.
Tashmeet Kaur’s gold at the SABA U‑16 qualifiers is not just a personal triumph—it echoes the rise of Ludhiana as a cradle of young talent. Supported by strong coaching, institutional backing, and familial dedication, she stands poised to represent India on larger Asian platforms. As Ludhiana continues its athletic ascent, Tashmeet’s journey embodies a powerful narrative of resilience, ambition, and regional pride.
