In India, basketball has slowly and steadily become one of the most enjoyable sports for people to watch and kids to play. There is a clear growing interest in the sport in the country despite the socio-economic hiccups. Even though basketball is not the leading sport within the country right now, it has the potential to challenge sports like football, kabaddi, badminton, and tennis in times to come. Of course, basketball will not replace cricket as the top sport in the country. Still, the forecasts for parallel growth are favorable for the future of basketball in India.

Growth of basketball in India

In India, basketball is played in high schools, colleges, and universities, with the younger generation actively participating right now like never before. Men and women both participate in the sport irrespective of their age and ability. There are many professional state teams for basketball in India. Even the government institutions have their professional basketball teams consisting of men and women who work and play for them. 

The sport of basketball was first played in India in 1930. The first-ever Indian National Championship for men was conducted in New Delhi in 1934. The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) is the governing body of the sport in the country, formed in 1950. The first men’s professional basketball league in India is known as the United Basketball Alliance (UBA) Pro Basketball League. Currently, this basketball league is not in operation in the country.

Called the Young Cagers, both the men’s and women’s national basketball teams represent India in the international competitions. India men’s national basketball team has once played in the Olympics in the year 1980. They have played 25 times in the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Men’s Asia Cup. The biggest basketball win in the nation’s history came at FIBA Men’s Asia Cup 2014 when India beat China by 65-58 at Wuhan. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s national basketball team has yet to participate in the Olympics. They have played 19 times in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. 

Both teams have made significant improvements in their game at the international level over the years because basketball is becoming more popular in the country. Player participation and fan engagement for the sport are at an all-time high in Indian basketball as the NBA is directly involved. It helps shape the future of basketball in India to be more inclusive and full of growth opportunities.

The role of the NBA in promoting basketball in India

The NBA sees massive potential in the Indian market because of its enormous population, which can help expand the scope of basketball and increase viewership at the same time. NBA officials have been spotting, selecting, and shaping youngsters for playing the sport by arranging clinics and setting up an academy in recent times. They are looking to raise the level of basketball and improve the country’s performance internationally among the various age groups. The vision of NBA officials isn’t about toppling another sport like cricket from India. Instead, they want to grow basketball by coexisting in the same ecosystem. 

Over the years, the NBA has taken significant steps in taking basketball to the next level in the country. In 2015, Sim Bhullar became the first player of Indian descent to be part of the NBA after signing a deal with the Sacramento Kings. Shortly after, he became the first Indian player to register his name in the history books when he scored against Utah Jazz in a pre-season game. After that, three more players from India signed for different teams in the NBA. Satnam Singh, Amjyot Singh, and Palpreet Singh were drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Blue, and Long Island Nets.

In 2019, NBA took a giant step of bringing basketball up, close, and personal to the Indian fans by organizing the first-ever pre-season game at Mumbai. The Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers played a total of two games in the NSCI Dome. It was hailed as a historical event in Indian basketball that helped the NBA further tap the great potential in the country. This moment came at the right time for the immediate future of basketball in India as it targeted the thriving sports culture among the young and engaged population.

Conclusion

The future of basketball in India is bright as youngster participation and fan engagement have increased dramatically over the past few years. The NBA has played a pivotal role in bringing the best of basketball to the nation to build the skill of its young generation and showcasing the world-class players of the sport playing competitively in India. You as a parent can give your children the opportunity to pursue basketball as a full-time sport at The Sports School. 

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Not much attention is given to Indian football in general, let alone WOMEN’s football. But, you should. Why? Because Indian women footballers are spreading their wings, making the country proud, and getting global recognition. Have no clue who we are talking about? Let us introduce you to one such Indian women footballer Ngangom Bala Devi, who plays in a major women’s football league in Scotland and makes the country proud.

Early life and domestic career:

Bala Devi was born on 2nd February 1990 in Manipur. While growing up, she was always fascinated by the sport and used to play with the local boys. However, she was always criticized for it. 

“I used to play with the local boys initially. Many people started talking about my playing and started criticizing me.”

However, she continued playing football as she found strength and support in her father, a state-level football player. 

“My father was a footballer, and he used to motivate me always. Even today, he is my go-to person for any kind of football query, however silly it may be.”

Bala Devi was part of the Manipur team at the under-19 Women’s championship held in Assam in 2002. She was declared the best player of the tournament. She eventually represented the Manipur Senior Women’s Football Team in the Indian women’s football championship and various other Indian women’s football clubs, such as the Manipur Police Sports Club and KRYPHSA F.C.

Image Source – The Sangai Express

Bala Devi has scored a total of twenty-six goals in her domestic career in her thirty-seven appearances, which helped her get noticed by the Scottish Premier League club, the Rangers. F.C.

Foreign Club Contract

Image Source- Latestly

Bala Devi created history when she became the first Indian Women Footballer to sign and play for an international football club, Rangers F.C, in the Scottish Premier League. She signed the contract for 18 months in January 2020. However, she had to wait almost a year to score her first goal for the club as the league was canceled due to the pandemic. She scored her first goal in the Rangers vs. Motherwell match held on December 6, 2020. Coming as a substitute player in the 65th minute, she netted the final goal in the 9-0 thrashing of Motherwell by the Rangers. She became the first Indian women footballer to score in the European professional football league. It has been a memorable event in Indian women’s football history and helped put the country on an international stage.

Talking about her experience at the club, Bala Devi exclaims, “It’s a different country and a whole new experience. There are many players from Scotland, Canada, the USA, France. It’s a huge challenge for me, but I am gaining a lot of experience from them as well.”

Representations, Awards, and Accolades

Image Source-Football Counter

Bala Devi has had an illustrious career so far with her. She has represented India in the 2016 South Asian Games, where she scored three goals in five matches. The SAFF Women’s Championship is where she has excelled dramatically. She was part of the Indian team in the first SAFF Championship held in 2010. It was her best tournament as she scored a whopping eight goals in five matches, which included her five goals in a single match against Bhutan, in which India went on to win with an unbelievable score line of 18-0. India, eventually, was the winner of that tournament.

Similarly, at the 2014 SAFF Championship, she exhibited excellent form, scoring sixteen goals in just five matches, and India claiming the championship for the third consecutive time. Bala Devi was awarded the Women’s Player Of The Year award by the All India Football Federation on account of her performance. She received the prestigious award again in 2015. Till date, Bala Devi has scored thirty-six goals while representing India in forty-six matches.

Image Source- The Bridge

Bala Devi has been an inspirational and influential figure for Indian girls wanting to make a name for themselves in football. Even the Indian women’s football team captain Ashalata Devi has praised Bala Devi, saying that her stint with the Rangers F.C. will be a huge boost for young girls across the country. Ashalata, in her chat with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), said, “Bala di playing for Rangers is a very big opportunity as it shows us the way to play abroad and for the next generation too. I hope the young generation gets inspired by her and (goalkeeper) Aditi Chauhan.” 

Bala Devi truly has been a blessing for Indian women’s football. Here’s wishing this great personality all the success for her future endeavors.

If you too aspire to be a footballer, we have the best program for you along with Bengaluru Fc.

The Sports School Football Academy with Bengaluru FC provides aspiring footballers with world-class training to reach the next level. At The Sports School campus, we offer a Professional Football Coaching Program with experienced coaches licensed by AFC and AIFF,  where the monitoring and evaluation of the student’s performance will be done by Head of Youth Development and BFC Youth Academy coaches.

Facilities:

• FIFA Quality Pro Certified Artificial Turf measuring 108m x 68m Football Field

The post All you need to know about Bala Devi, The First Indian Woman Footballer to Bag Contract with Foreign Club appeared first on The Sports School.

Imagine seeing your name on your jersey and having over a thousand people cheering as you enter to play the game that is your passion. Many professional basketball players relish this adulation and describe the feeling as surreal. 

Basketball is hands down one of the most popular sports worldwide, viewed by all the age-groups. Moreover, it is a high-spirited and impromptu game packed with actions like dribbling, shooting, defense, rebounding, and passing. Experts encourage young students to join this game as it boosts endurance, flexibility, and coordination.

Basketball is a lucrative career option for students who are incredibly athletic and focused on their target. Basketball players are nothing less than entertainers who woo the live audience with their two-hour one-on-one show. So what does it take to start a basketball career in India? Keep reading on as we have outlined some tips and tricks to ace this sport and lead like a pro.

• Focus

You see, basketball is a sport that requires excellent focusing skills. You cannot afford to miss your target, or else you will end up giving an easy point to your opponent. For instance, if you are good at scoring, go for that.

If you are more into defending, lock it down. If you bounce like a destroying ball, go haul in every board. So the point is, focus and refine your strengths if you want to make it big in this sport. You can also consider joining a basketball program at the sports school for the best preparation.

• Set your Mind Free

The environment right before a basketball match is quite tense. Therefore, experts from the best basketball training in India recommend you to set your mind free. Wear your tricks on sleeves and set your game straight.

Focusing more on higher levels of play is the key to success in this sport. In other words, do not just concentrate on dribbling or scoring, focus on what is open. It is a crucial tip for the students who look forward to starting a basketball career in India.

• Ace the Skill of Calming Down your Mind

The one who stays calm and composed on the court leads the game. It will also help in performing at the highest level during the most intense or chaotic games. Students should learn the tricks of staying calm from inside and giving an explosive performance with great intensity. Breathing exercises and yoga can help you in mastering this art.

• Practice

There is no alternative for practice. Students who wish to start a career in basketball in India should leave no stone unturned in practicing their moves. Be it dribbling, shooting, jumping, or warmups, make sure you do it every day. Especially as a beginner to the sport, grasping the fundamentals of basketball is essential to your enjoyment and development of the game.

• Be a Team Player

Basketball is a team sport. There will be four more players apart from you on the court. So, it is essential to understand and acknowledge their tricks and ideas. Unite with your team in a mutual bond to win every tournament.

Moreover, communication and encouragement also play a vital role in determining the overall performance of a player. Identify and understand the basketball jargon and ensure to use them for better communication within the game.

• Connect with a Good Coach and Analyze Other Players

Last but most important, enroll for a professional basketball training at the sports school where coaches can help develop your game. You can also refine your game by studying the established basketball player there. Trust us, you can learn some amazing finer skills like movement, attacking, and defensive tactics in a professional sports school.

Takeaway

So, these were some essential for starting a basketball career in India. As far as education is concerned, you should have a stronghold on the concepts of quantum physics. The best part about this field is that this industry’s future is very bright, and the sky’s the limit for the talented players.

Many sports academies roll out lucrative career options for experienced players and allow them to play on the national level. A basketball career can offer you everything ranging from name, fame, exposure to success. You will get an opportunity to travel to different countries and interact with some of the best basketball players.

Students who are serious about this sport should enroll in The Sports School – the First Integrated School for Sports and Academics in India. It offers a world-class training platform for budding tennis, cricket, badminton, football, and basketball athletes. Many world-renowned mentors and expert coaches are also associated with this sports academy. Connect with their executives today, and kickstart your journey of becoming the top basketball player in the world.

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