By IANS
New Delhi : The National Basketball Association (NBA), organisers of professional basketball in the US, is planning to develop and popularise the sport in India.
From organising camps for budding players to associating themselves with the yet to be launched professional league of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), the NBA is set to do a lot in cricket-crazy India.
“India and China are two emerging markets in Asia. We have already set our foot in China, and India is our present target. It is a long term association that we are looking forward, to build the game of basketball in the country,” NBA vice-president Mark Aronson said Monday night.
Aronson is part of a five-member NBA delegation on a short trip to India to finalise the details of its first camp with BFAI.
NBA’s first programme in India will start with a camp July 3-6 for 50 budding boy cagers, selected from all over Asia, in the American Embassy School here.
The camp, named ‘Basketball without Borders’, will be organised by NBA in association with the world body International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and BFI.
The camp would be the fourth of its kind in Asia. The earlier three camps were held in China, with the inaugural clinic in Beijing in 2004.
“During the camp we will have NBA players and coaches as mentors. We will also lay emphasis on health, HIV AIDS and similar issues. We are also exploring opportunities for girls as well,” said Brooks Meek, director of international basketball operations of NBA.