Patna: Loyola High School student Nikita Sinha and Patna resident Bhola Kumar Thapa have been selected for the preliminary karate coaching camp for the 18th Asian Games to be held in Jakarta later this year.

The India Pencak Silat Federation has organised the camp that started in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. It will end on April 20 and based on the performance, players would be selected to represent India at the Asian Games in Jakarta from August 18 to September 2.

Nikita, 17, and Bhola, 32, left for the camp on Tuesday excited for the opportunity. Nikita, who took her Class XII exam this year, will compete in the 45-50kg category. Bhola, sports teacher at Shring Sheffield School in Patna, will participate in the 50-55kg category.

Nikita said she had recently won the gold medal at the Indo-Nepal International Karate Championship. "My spirits are high after winning the gold medal three months ago in the Indo-Nepal International Karate Championship. Earlier, too, I have bagged a gold medal in the karate championship but if I am selected for the Asian Games, this would be a milestone," said science student Nikita.

Bhola said he had kept his fingers crossed for his selection in the Jakarta Games. "If I am selected, this would be my first participation in the Asian Games. It is mandatory for me to perform well at the camp so that I get a chance at the Asian Games. My family, friends, and students have pinned high hopes on me," said Bhola (32).

Pencak Silat Association of Bihar secretary, Mukesh Kumar Singh called Nikita and Bhola were talented sportspersons. "The camp would give both Nikita and Bhola an opportunity to get good training from the top coaches in the country. They should give their cent per cent," he said.