|
|
*** INDIAN MEN BASKETBALL MAIN PAGE ***
 | TNBA puts up rival panel in place | |
|
| |  | In elections held after 21 years, popular Tamil actor D Napolean was elected as patron of the strife torn Tamil Nadu Basketball Association (TNBA).
Mr M S Venkatraman was elected as President of the TNBA at its extraordinary General Body meeting held recently at Chennai. He replaced the incumbent Mr A N Dyaneswaran against whom majority of the affiliated clubs expressed dissatisfaction over his functioning and had sought his removal.
Mr R Selvaraj was elected as Secretary. Mr S Subramanian and A Chella Raj were elected as vice-presidents, while Mr J Pandian Franklin was elected as Joint Secretary. Mr S Arulmozhi would be the Joint Secretary and Treasurer.
Talking to reporters , Mr Napolean and Mr Venkatraman said all the elections were unanimous and the new office-bearers would have a term of four years.
Observing that elections were last held in 1987, they said that this meeting and polls were held as per the 1985 bye-laws of the Association, which was registered under the Societies Act.
Of the 14 office-bearers, three died and invitation to the meeting was issued to the remaining 11 members, including Mr Dyaneswaran, who did not attend the meeting.
Following the revolt raised by 240 affiliated clubs against Mr Dyaneswaran, the meeting was held to elect the new office bearers, Mr Venkatraman said.
-Times Chennai Bureau Report |
|
|
| Tamil Nadu Basketball Association heading for a split ??? | |
|
| | | Its been around for quite some time and things seem to be coming into the open.
The rival Tamil Nadu Basketball Association announced an ambitious plan to give a fillip to the game in the state by starting 1,000 basketball clubs. Association Chairman and popular actor D Napolean told newspersons here that five villages in every revenue district of the state would be selected shortly and 1,000 basketball clubs started in these villages. Each club would provide training to 20 players, he added. Mr Napolean, said the initiative was aimed at preparing a good number of talented basketball players from the rural areas. They also proposed to bring in reputed coaches from the US.
He alleged that the existing Association headed by Dhyaneshwaran did not take up any activity for the game's development. He did not even submit the accounts of the Association for annual audit. When his Association took up this administrative lapse with the authorities concerned, Mr Dhyaneshwaran hurriedly submitted the accounts for 2007-08, but it was rejected on technical grounds, he claimed.
Mr Napolean charged Mr Dhyaneshwaran with changing the bylaws of the Association to suit him without intimating the other office bearers, besides involving in corrupt practices and swindling the Association's money. Association President S M Hidayathullah claimed that of the 280 basketball clubs in the state, 260 extended support to their rival Association and out of 31 District Basketball Associations, 18 district office bearers backed them. Mr Napolean informed that Basketball Federation of India(BFI) Secretary General Hari Sharma had asked them to file supportive documents and game activities for getting affiliation. Hence, they have decided to conduct state-level tournaments all over the state.
He claimed that the maiden tournament organised by his Association had attracted teams from all the districts.
Courtesy UNI |
|
|
| Asian Basketball hotting up?????? | |
|
| | | Asian Basketball seems to be hotting up with a lot of humming happening about newer events to help promote the game and take it to greater heights. With India and China having all the numbers that any market economics desires, we could expect a lot to happen in the near future. See the latest from SIngapore Slingers as below. Is everybody in Asian basketball listening?????
Singapore Slingers Announces SLINGERS SETS SIGHT ON ASIAN PRO LEAGUE FOLLOWING DECISION TO BOW OUT OF NBL
July 30, 2008, SINGAPORE - When the Singapore Slingers tip-off for the new basketball season on Sept 17 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, instead of going up against the likes of NBL sides Melbourne Tigers or Perth Wildcats, skipper Ben Knight and Co could be taking on the likes of professional teams from Korea, Philippines, Japan or China instead.
This was after the Slingers management announced that the Singapore-based team has officially pulled out of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), and will not be taking part in the upcoming 2008/09 NBL season.
'We had every intention to play our third season in the NBL and had recruited a team to be very competitive and more relevant to Singapore, with three players of Asian heritage on the roster', said Slingers Managing Director Bob Turner.
'In spite of the team's financial readiness to participate, the recent withdrawal of two key teams from the NBL has had a negative impact on our business model and led to an unanticipated increase in travel costs. When the NBL could not accede to our request to help defray the exorbitant and rising travel costs, the board of the Slingers took the painful but necessary decision to leave the NBL and pursue the possibility of playing in a professional league in Asia instead'.
The withdrawal of the Slingers means that the NBL has now lost its third team before the start of the 2008/09 season, after Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets both pulled out of the competition in the past weeks, even as major restructure of basketball Down Under continues in earnest.
Explaining the decision to withdraw from the NBL, the Slingers Chairman Tony Fernandes, who is also Group CEO of Air Asia said, 'Since getting on board six months ago, I've firmly believed that the long-term future of the Slingers is in an Asian Professional League rather than in the NBL. The recent turn of events provided the catalyst to start looking more closely at the feasibility of playing professionally in Asia.'
'I am a big believer in ASEAN, with its fantastic market of 600 million people.Considering the potential sponsorships and television viewership, it makes tremendous commercial sense to go in this direction and take advantage of the popularity of basketball in the region', he added.
Said NBL interim CEO Chuck Harmison: 'Whilst the NBL is disappointed with the Slingers' decision, we do understand their rationale, especially with the cost of traveling continuing to spiral upwards. We have therefore reluctantly accepted the Slingers' decision to surrender their license. We do however remain very keen as a league to explore with Singapore, and more widely Asia, other more cost effective ways of establishing regular club and national team competition.'
Local basketball fans need not fret about the lack of top-class hoop action. In place of regular NBL league matches, the Slingers will be inviting some of the top professional teams from Asia's basketball powerhouses China, Korea, Japan, Philippines and even the Middle-East and Europe, as well as clubs from the NBL, to play in a series of challenge matches instead, having already started talks with several possible opponents.
Known as the Slingers Challenge Series 2008/09, the tournament will utilize the 15 home dates penciled in at the Singapore Indoor Stadium between Sept 17 and end of February. Prize money will be at stake, with the visitors walking away with the cash of up to $10,000 if they manage to beat the home team, guaranteeing that the matches will be competitive.
The Slingers board believes that the Slingers Challenge Series will be the perfect platform to give local fans a taste of what they can expect of an Asian Professional League, while showcasing the standard of basketball in Asia.
That vision is not far from becoming a reality as the Slingers are in talks with more than one party who are keen to set up the inaugural professional league featuring top teams from all around Asia. It is also working closely with basketball's governing bodies FIBA and FIBA Asia.
While details of the proposed Asian Pro League still need to be finalized, it is envisioned that it could take off even as early as April 2009, and will comprise pro teams each representing their home nation, as they battle it out for supremacy and boasting rights to be named champions of Asia.
'Being based in Singapore, it is a matter of time and in the Slinger's best interest to position itself in the region as part of an Asia-based league. This new direction is the future', said Michael Johnson, Head of Basketball Operations and a NBL Hall-of-Famer.
'All the players, including import Eric Sandrin who arrived over the weekend, are excited to take up the challenge and show that Singapore's very own professional basketball team can compete with the best in Asia'.
The Singapore Slingers are now working to finalize all opponents for the Singapore Challenge Series. A full schedule of dates is expected to be available in the coming two weeks. |
|
|
| Sridhar Shanmugam participates in ESL Salt Lake City | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Jul 26, 2008 | | | Sridhar Shanmugam (187-F-78) is taking part in the Eurobasket Summer League playing for Sofia team. Indian player started his professional career in 2003 for BEML Mysore. In 2004 he moved to Ongc Dehradun and spent their also an entire season. In 2005-2006 he played for Ongc Dehradun (1T) - Uttaranhal. For KPS Stars he averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per game.
The ESL in Salt Lake City began on Thursday night to conclude a successful series of the day tournaments around the USA that has created a buzz in the industry. The ESL in Salt Lake City started last night as the summer basketball season is closing and most of the European scouts from the Rocky Mountain Revue are heading back to Europe and we saw the result last night at the Franklin Covey gym as there were a low number of scouts attending the ESL.However the ESL has been followed by hundreds of coaches around Europe on-line and have contacted our staff regarding several talented players who have done well at our previous events. As of a result players have been getting a range of job offers due to their performances at the ESL which has been amazing.
Sofia lost the opener to Munich 89:109. Sridhar Shanmugam's team played well, but Munich controlled the majority of the encounter. Nick Covington was outstanding for the winners as he scored 26 points and shot the lights out, played great defense and provided nice point guard play. Sofia team had three players who were just outright outstanding but did not get a lot of help from the rest of the team. |
|
|
|
| R.Anil Kumar named to executivecommitee of World Basketball Cup (WBC) | |
|
| | | Anil Kumar, CEO of Sportzindia Management (P) Ltd has been named to the Executive Committee of the World Basketball Cup (WBC).
Sportzindia is a pioneer in the sports management industry in Kerala, South India.
'We currently provide client services in the areas of contract negotiations, competition scheduling, marketing and sports infrastructure consulting,'
stated Kumar. 'We have been involved with sporting event management as well as athlete representation. We believe strongly in the World Basketball Cup concept and I am honored to be serving in this important role.'
'Mr. Kumar will be overseeing activities in India, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries and will be working closely with counterparts in Europe, Africa, Asia, South/Central America and the Middle East to maximize the potential of this extraordinary undertaking, stated Joe Newman, WBC Chairman. 'We are very impressed with his knowledge, his experience, his energy and enthusiasm and feel very fortunate to have him as part of the WBC team.'
Sportzindia was the sole promoter of the Indian tour of one of the world's best sports entertainment teams, the US-based Harlem Globetrotters. Their first-ever Indian tour across five South Indian cities concluded very successfully. The NBA Legends Clinic at Ludhiana was coordinated by Sportzindia in 2006 featuring 10-year NBA star Robert Reid and Sportzindia promoted the entry of India's top Woman Basketball Player, Geethu Anna Jose, into the Big V League in Australia in 2006-07. They also managed two teams from Argentina and Brazil for the Nayanar Gold Cup International Football Tournament in Kerala in April 2008 in partnership with Talentplus Nigeria, Caddelli Group Sao Paulo, ABC Sports Agency Buenos Aires and is developing a domestic football program in the Asian region.
|
|
|
| Basketball Commonwealth Championship at New Delhi in July 2010 | |
|
| | |
NEW DELHI: The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has assigned India to host the inaugural Commonwealth basketball championship in 2010.
At a function organised here on Saturday night, FIBA President Bob Elphinston announced that India had agreed to host the event for men in late July, months before the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Basketball was a part of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. But it is not there in the 2010 Games. So this is the next best possible thing from which young boys and girls in India can know about the game. It is going to be a wonderful opportunity for Indian basketball to grow further, Elphinston told reporters.
Eight top teams will participate in the event and Australia, New Zealand, England, Nigeria and host India have confirmed participation.
Elphinston said the Indian Government and the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) will decide on the venue and dates of the event.
After conducting the mens event, the FIBA will organise the Commonwealth championship for women in 2012 in some other country.
BFI Secretary General Harish Sharma said they would leave no stone unturned to make the event a success.
This is a proud moment for us. I thank FIBA for this. They thought we were capable of hosting it. As the Indian government has put basketball in special category, we will have no problem in providing the best facilities, he said.
Basketball Australia confirmed that the Australia Post Boomers will contest the inaugural Commonwealth basketball championship in India in 2010.
The championship is set to be one of the biggest events in world basketball in 2010 as the sport will not be part of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
The FIBA World Championships for men and women will take place in Turkey in 2010, making it a year to remember for the global game.
|
|
|
| NBA exploring India | |
|
| | | Chennai could be NBAs home in India within the next few months. After the success of its Basketball Without Borders programme in New Delhi last week, the worlds most famous professional basketball league now plans to set up a base in the country.
We plan to open a NBA office in India within the next six to eight months. We had a look at some of the facilities in Chennai, and at the SRM University, they are great. There is a lot of support for the sport too, Akash Jain, Director-International Development, NBA Entertainment, told The Hindu here on Thursday afternoon.
Of course, weve not finalised the venue yet. Weve seen Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai and now Kochi and were still evaluating the locations, said Jain, after having a look at the facilities at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium here and the Star Lagoon Hotel at Thevara here along with Mark Aronson, Vice President, NBA Entertainments Events and Attractions Group. Kolkata will be their next halt. The two had been to Bangalore earlier.
Apart from initiating programmes to develop basketball at all levels in the country and strengthening the relationship with the Basketball Federation of India and basketball stake-holders, the NBA office will also manage and grow the NBA business in India, said Jain who has his roots in Rajasthan.
Strong base in China
China is the NBAs No. 1 market outside the U.S. nearly 300 million play basketball there and the NBA has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and Hong Kong, said Akash.
The NBA sees a lot of potential in India.
The BFI plans to launch its maiden professional basketball league in October and the world body FIBA and NBA are keenly watching the developments.
We believe that the Pro League is important for the overall development of the sport in India, said Aronson.
A strong foundation exists for basketball in India.
What we need is to organise and structure the sport to see that it thrives in the long term. We have discussed with the BFI on how to manage, structure and execute a pro league based on the 60 years experience of the NBA.
Cortesy - Stan Rayan, The Hindu |
|
|
| Basketball without Borders starts off in Delhi | |
|
| | | The ‘Basketball Without Borders' kicked off here on Friday with some top NBA players coaching young players from across Asia.
NBA players Kyle Korver (Utah Jazz), Ronny Turiaf (L.A. Lakers), Pat Garrity (Orlando Magic) and Linton Johnson (Phoenix Suns) along with legends of the sport, Sam Perkins and Dominique Wilkins, coaches Don Casey and Don Newman, trained 53 under-19 players from 15 countries at the American Embassy School here. Five Indians are taking part in the programme.
Wilkins said the camp in India could grow in stature in future.
'Since this is just the start, the first camp in India, we have taken only a few players. It's important to educate these young players about basketball and we can carry it on from here,' he said.
In Asia, this is for the first time that the programme is being held outside China. International Basketball Federation (FIBA) President Bob Elphinston and Basketball Federation President R.S. Gill were also present.
The President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Bob Elphinston, says a professional national league is imperative for India to emerge as a strong force in the sport.
Mr. Elphinston said on Friday that the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and the Union Government should join hands to start a national league that would boost the sport.
'There is a need to have a national league. If they start a senior national league they can bring some foreign players in that league,' said Mr. Elphinston.
The FIBA chief said the league would also create ‘major commercial opportunity' for corporate houses.
In his response, Mr. Gill, said the blueprint of the professional league was ready and if things fell in place it would start in the latter part of the year.
'We are in search of a big sponsor because we want to start with a bang, not with a whimper. We want to give good accommodation, food and travel facilities to the players. If we get a sponsor, then it should ideally be held in October or November.
'To start with, we will have six teams from various states and organisations. We might have some foreign players, on par with the standard of our players, to make it more interesting,' Mr Gill said.
On the larger picture, Mr. Elphinston said Asia's progress in the game was dependent upon India's development.
'Asia is a sleeping giant of world basketball. China is good, Korea, Japan, Philippines are reorganising themselves. In India, Indonesia and Middle East, there is possibility.
'We also see that India needs to play a stronger role in Asian basketball. For Asia to be strong, India needs to play a stronger role â€' in terms of being influential in administration of the sport, in particular on the court.'
Mr. Elphinston expressed the hope that India would be able to host the 2010 Commonwealth Championships.
'Unfortunately, basketball is not part of the Commonwealth Games in India. We are disappointed with that. The Indian federation has agreed and they have asked to host the Commonwealth Championship. We shall bring top teams like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa and Nigeria,' he said.
Courtesy - The Hindu |
|
|
| India Pro League - looking for a sponsor says BFI | |
|
| | | After football, now the professional basketball league in the country. The Basketball Federation (BFI) is ready with the blueprint for a pro league and is in the process of tying up sponsorship deal.
FIBA president Bob Elphinston told reporters here Friday the world body will do everything it can to raise the standard of the game in the country and make it a force to reckon with in the continent.
The BFI is ready with a six-team league and it is in the process of finalising a sponsor.
'India is strong and influential and we want it to play a bigger role in Asian basketball. Basketball is a popular sport across the world and if India succeeds in international competitions, the rest of the world will look at them with great respect,' said Elphinston on the sidelines of a Basketball-Without-Borders Clinic here.
'We will provide whatever help is needed to launch the national league. They can have players from other countries in the league and that would help India to get on a par with other major basketball nations.' he said.
Elphinston said India is a booming economic nation and there is enough scope for basketball to get commercial support.
'India's economy is growing and one of the objectives of FIBA would be to get commercial support for the sport through television and other market streams,' he said.
BFI President R S Gill said they are ready with the blueprint to start the pro league.
'We will start with the senior league for men and the women's league will follow soon. Some corporate houses have shown interest, but we are looking for someone to pour in the kind of money we need to start the league. We want to start with a bang and not with a whimper,' Gill said.
'We need to have proper infrastructure and facilities to start a professional league. Also, the right coaches.'
Initially, the top six teams of the country will compete in the league.
'It can be either state teams or departmental teams. We can bring players from Asia, Africa and Europe to play in the league. FIBA Asia is in touch with players who are interested in playing in India.'
'We have also asked FIBA Asia to send us teams of our level to play in India regularly. Teams like Thailand, the Philippines and other Asian nations can come here and play Test matches. Our boys need continuous international exposure. One or two exposure trips abroad a year is not going to help. FIBA Asia have given us one coach in Alexander who is working with the women's team. It will recommend another coach for the junior programme.'
Courtesy - IANS Sports |
|
|
| FIBA Chief visiting India | |
|
| | | Indian basketball will get a fillip when top officials of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) arrive in India and discuss crucial tie-ups that could change the face of the sport in the country.
The president and secretary-general of FIBA, Bob Elphinston and Patrick Bauman, and secretary-general of FIBA Asia Dato Yeoh Choo Hock will arrive here July 3 to announce a major bouquet for India.
Basketball Federation of India (BFI) secretary-general Harish Sharma is upbeat about the visit.
Sharma said in his discussion with Elphinston and Bauman during a meeting in the US early this year, they were keen to help.
'In BFI, we see the visit of these officials as a golden opportunity to create a good base for launching the professional league,' said Sharma.
'Our boys and girls have the potential to make it big. If FIBA helps our cagers, it would help us grow,' he said.
The FIBA bosses are coming to India for the first time for the Basketball Without Borders, a four-day FIBA-NBA joint venture, to be held at the American School in Delhi.
The two top men of FIBA will also meet Sports Minister M.S. Gill and Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi.
|
|
|
| Punjab lifts Sub Jr National Boys title | |
|
| | | Punjab and Chhattisgarh successfully defended the boys and girls titles respectively in the 35th National sub-junior basketball championship at the Sainik School courts, here on Saturday.
at Kaprthala in Punjab.
Punjab boys dominated the proceedings against Delhi and won 43-36.
In the girls final, Saranjeet Kaur was the star as she slotted 26 points to help Chhattisgarh score a 60-31 triumph over Uttar Pradesh.
The scores: Boys: Final: Punjab 43 bt Delhi 36.
Third place: Uttar Pradesh 48 (Aman Singh 12) bt Chhattisgarh 44 (Vijay Pratap Singh 16, Murali 14).
Girls: Final: Chhattisgarh 60 (Saranjeet Kaur 26, Sangeeta 10) bt Uttar Pradesh 31 (Sweta 15).
Third place: Tamil Nadu 42 (Shiny Prasanna 15, Suganya 10) bt Jharkhand 25 (Aditi Tudu 10).
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
