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BASKETBALL

A learning experience

Basketball is a game designed to thrill its spectators. It is a game where the result often comes in the very last second. In terms of sheer excitement there are not many sports that can match this action packed game. Yet in India there are not many takers for it. Beyond some die hard fans, the sport lacks a mass following, unlike in the U.S. where the National Basketball Association’s (better known as NBA) matches are a huge attraction.

With the aim of making the game more popular in India and also to spot talent for future grooming, the NBA recently conducted a programme which was called Basketball Without Borders. The plan was to bring together several talented players in one place and get them to interact, learn and develop their talents under the guidance of NBA players and coaches.

NBA players Ronny Turiaf, Kyle Korver, Pat Garrity and Linton Johnson were among those who participated in the NBA’s first event in India.

Hyderabad’s Norman Issac, a former player who is now a FIBA Commissioner and international referee, attended the camp conducted in the U.S. Embassy School in Delhi. Norman says that the experience was an eye opener for him and it gave him a lot of new insights even though he has been associated with the sport for more than two decades as a player and as an official.

“The main aim was to promote the sport in new regions in Asia. Earlier it was held in China and Africa. The focus was on under-19 players from Korea, Japan, Jordan and Lebanon along with Indian players. They were taught the basics of the game. These included tactics for offence and defence, and how to break rival defences,” said Norman. “The players were divided into groups of 10 players and each team was given specific coaching by a coach, who would focus on one aspect of the game. This really helped the boys to learn a lot of new things. In the evening session the teams would be involved in match play under the guidance of the NBA players.”

According to Norman the scheme was also aimed at scouting for new players from all over the world. If young players were spotted who could fit the bill, they would be sent to the U.S. for advanced training and eventually absorbed into one of the NBA teams.

“India may host the Commonwealth basketball championship in 2010. Now with live telecast, it is felt that there is tremendous scope for the sport to catch on. India with its huge population is an ideal country for the sport to be popularised,” said Norman.

“The visitors felt that there are a lot talented players in India but they need better facilities. Three players who had gone for the scheme earlier, when it was held in China, have shown a lot of improvement. They are Yadvinder Singh, Jagdeep Singh and Talwinder Singh. While Talwinder is now in playing in Canada, the other two are now considered among the country’s best players. Even for officials, it was a new learning experience,” said Norman.

ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA

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