The Hindu : Sport : ‘Indian players can do wonders’

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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‘Indian players can do wonders’

NEW DELHI: After spending a year in India and having a close look at the standard of the game, National basketball coach Aleksandar Bucan believes the players have it in them to make it to the elite level in Asia in five years’ time.

Bucan is impressed by the creative bent of mind of the Indian players and thinks they can do wonders.

Big potential

“There is big potential. Indian players are so talented, they know how to feel the game. They are very creative which I think is important. I have seen many juniors who, with good training, can develop into better players,” Bucan said.

The Serbian said the just-concluded NBA-backed ‘Basketball Without Borders’ was a golden opportunity for the youngsters. “My country is a European champion, World champion and Olympic gold medallist. But we never had a camp like this. This is a big help (for Indian players). The people who came here were all top-level players. Our juniors have learnt a lot from them and we need to organise more such camps in future.”

China’s upsurge

Citing an example of China’s upsurge in basketball in the last decade, Bucan said more exposure and better infrastructure would do a world of good to the sport in India.

“China pooled in huge money, brought coaches from outside, sent their teams for exposure programmes. India, too, will have to follow such a programme and must have more facilities to come on par with the top Asian countries. If we can do it, I see no reason why we cannot reach the top level.”

On the proposed professional league in India, Bucan said “this is the next big step” which is essential for the growth of the sport as it has become purely professional in most parts of the world. — Sports Reporter

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