The National Basketball Association (NBA) has tied up with the Basketball Federation of India to boost their talent scouting program through school-level competitions and raise grassroots development for the sport in India. They have announced a Junior NBA program which is also the largest in the country and will be for the under-14 age group in a 3 on 3 format. They have been running for 10 years now and are connecting 14 million kids across 35 different cities. The popularity of Basketball is growing towards becoming a no.2 sport in India.
Their aim is to grow in Ludhiana, Aizwal, and Kolkata after Chennai and Mumbai. This format is to increase participation from kids and younger generation in the sport of Basketball. As per the program they will identify the top 3 boys and girls and all-star teams and invite them to compete in the nationals.
3 things for delivery from this program
-increase competitive participation to improve
-to continue to develop talent in the country
-create a platform for talent identification
With the Jump program discontinued, this will be more huge for the development of kids. It's not a replacement but a program to focus on 3x3. It potentially has to start at the grassroots level. BFI and NBA working together so this will be a good project and with the same goals and aligned thoughts along with coaches across India, it will be the starting of a new era in basketball.
"It's a good start, school leagues need focus. Europeans focus on that so winning. We want to do more activities at grassroots level. Focus is more than 10,000 schools. For school games, its the best. Most schools have a basketball court. New activities will remain the focus. We have one ambition and one focus tp improve and rise to asian or Olympics level by raising our standards. Top 25 to become in 8 years is our ambition through school and college leagues. Lets create new history in India," Aadhav Arjuna president, of the Basketball Federation of India.
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