NBA to launch junior development programme

Mumbai: With an aim of reaching around 10,000 students and 800 coaches, the National Basketball Association is all set to launch the Junior NBA/Junior WNBA basketball development programme in five cities across India on May 26.

It marks an important step in incorporating the hoop game into the regular sports routine of Indian youth at the school level, said a media release today. After the visit to five cities in the country -- Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune and Chandigarh -- the programme, done in collaboration with HP and Basketball Federation of India (BFI), would culminate with the Jr NBA/Jr WNBA Skills Challenge National finals in the Capital, scheduled on July 14-15. Around 2,000 participants between the age group of 10-12 in each city will compete in a series of timed skills tests measuring their abilities in key fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. The top five boys and girls would qualify to represent their city at the national finals in Delhi. The boy and girl who complete the skills tests with the best times at the finals would be crowned champions and also win a trip to NBA All-Star 2013 in Houston, Texas. Adidas is the official outfitter for the programme and would provide apparel and footwear for participants and coaches, the release added. PTI