Chennai: India is fielding eight players, including former Under-15 champion Dipika Pallikal, in the 13th Asian Junior Squash Championships to be held in Hong Kong from February 3 to 10.

While boys would compete in both the individual and team events, two girls, including Dipika, would participate only in the individual event, Squash Rackets Federation of India said here today in a release.

The players for the individual events are Sandeep Jangra, Harinderpal Singh, Parth Sharma, Naresh Kumar, Ravi Dixit and Ramin Tandon.

The Indian side for the team event would comprise Sandeep Jangra, Harinderpal Singh, Parth Sharma and Naresh Kumar.

Dipika, who won the gold at the under-15 Asian Junior Individual Championship 2005 in Singapore, and former junior national champion Anveesha Reddy, are the participants in the girls' individual section.

The players had been selected on the basis of their performances at the national and international events in 2006, including the Scottish and British Open, the release said.

National coach Cyrus Poncha said expectations from the Indian team were high.

"Our boys had achieved sixth position in the World Junior Championships held last year. Out target in this event is to defeat the higher ranked Malaysians," he added.

SRFI consultant coach Major Maniam said the players had worked diligently and he expected to see some outstanding performances.

"Squash in Asia is progressing at a rapid rate. While Pakistan is the frontrunner, the rest of the teams are not too far behind," he said.