First professional basketball league in Mumbai

Mumbai: The country`s first professional basketball league is to be hosted by Mastan YMCA, the cradle of basketball in Mumbai that has produced some of the finest hoopsters, from May 5-15.

The inaugural Mastan Basketball Professional League for men and women, sponsored by Lakadawala Developers and organised by the Basketball Federation of India, will present a unique opportunity to the country`s leading players. For a change they would not represent their clubs or companies but would be playing in teams picked by the BFI, prompting players from different states, backgrounds and styles to play together, a media release said.While a pool of 80 players will be selected to form eight men`s teams, 40 women players will be picked to form four women`s teams.All players will be provided three-star accommodation and boarding besides being paid a professional fee per match, increasing with every stage of the tournament, the release added. PTI