Jr NBA jumpstarts in Hyderabad

As many as 200 physical education teachers from 180 city schools will take part in initiative. The programme, which is free for participants, will train the local teachers through in-school basketball clinics and elite training camps. The best teachers from the clinics and camps will play each other in a one-off final match.

The programme will impart the core values of basketball, team play and skills to the participants. Two international female coaches, Adrina Galimberti from Italy and American Nathalie Reshard, will be in the city for two months to groom the hoopsters.

“This city has so much positive energy. All the teachers who came in today were a bunch of optimists who want to learn and adapt to the international way of playing the sport. I am very impressed with what I have seen today,” Carlos Barroca, senior director of Basketball Operations of NBA in India, said.

“We see India as a huge market for the sport. There is just so much potential here and we would like to play our part in bringing it to the fore. Apart from the ‘Train the Trainers’ programme, we have planned activities for kids such as three-on-three, five-on-five and other competitions,” the Portuguese added. On being asked if India lags in training standards, he quipped, “India is far behind. Hopefully we can make a difference.”