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NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
As IPL Ends, A New League Tips Off: India Gets Its Own Professional Basketball League
As Season 18 of the Indian Premier League comes to a close, another global sport is preparing to step into the spotlight. Basketball, long popular among Indian youth but lacking professional infrastructure, is now set to establish its own space with a dedicated league. ACG Sports, in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India, has officially announced the launch of a new professional basketball league — with the broader goal of transforming the sport's ecosystem in the country. The announcement was made at Mumbai's Taj Lands End, in the presence of: Karan Singh (Managing Director, ACG), Jeffrey Loeliger (Director, ACG Sports), Aadhav Arjuna (President, Basketball Federation of India) and Kulvinder Singh Gill (Secretary General, Basketball Federation of India) A League the Nation Can Rally Behind Jeffrey Loeliger highlighted the importance of building a connected ecosystem. 'Every part of this ecosystem — players, associations, fans — is co-dependent. The goal of this league is to elevate talent, feed into the national teams, and ultimately make basketball accessible to any kid, anywhere in India,' he said. Speaking on the timing of the launch, Karan Singh remarked, 'This was long overdue. From day one, we agreed with the federation that this sport — its players, its talent — deserves investment. We need to unify the basketball ecosystem under one body and bring in passionate partners who want to build it sustainably.' Replicating the Dalmiya Model Aadhav Arjuna, President of the BFI, drew a compelling comparison to cricket's rise in India. 'Over a hundred years ago, cricket wasn't our sport — it was hockey. But it was Jagmohan Dalmiya's vision that brought in commerce and changed the game. That's what we need now for basketball,' he said. 'We already have the schools, the courts, the youth. What we need is a strong narrative — one that brings together government, business, and passion. Dalmiya had that. We're building toward it.' Building Basketball Culture On growing the sport beyond the court, Jeffrey pointed to the need for basketball to permeate everyday life. 'You see kids wearing jerseys, tracking sneaker drops, copying moves from YouTube — basketball already lives in their culture,' he said. He also emphasized that the league must be fan-first to be sustainable — a lesson drawn from the Australian model. 'Young fans are the biggest consumers now — and they're loyal. They'll grow up, spend on the sport, and even build careers around it. That's where long-term success lies.' The Road Ahead While the official launch signals a strong beginning, several key pieces are still in motion — including scheduling, the franchise/ownership model, and final confirmation of men's and women's participation. Venue availability and syncing with national player calendars are also under consideration. A High Performance Centre is slated to launch next year, where identified raw talent will be trained by top coaches and developed into elite professionals.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Business
- First Post
India's first professional basketball league launched in association with BFI
India's first professional basketball league has been launched by ACG Sports in partnership with the Basketball Federation of India. The league will feature 5x5 and 3x3 formats for men and women. read more Mumbai: Marking a transformative moment for Indian sports, ACG Sports Private Limited, has announced the launch of India's first professional basketball league in association with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI). This groundbreaking initiative will feature structured competitive league in 5x5 and 3x3 formats for both men and women, establishing a comprehensive professional ecosystem that opens the door for athletes across the country to pursue basketball as a viable career. Designed to redefine how the sport is played, experienced, and supported in India, the league aims to shift basketball from a niche discipline into a mainstream pursuit. It will serve as a long-term catalyst for India's presence on the global basketball stage, backed by world-class infrastructure, holistic athlete development, and robust community engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The league is being driven by ACG Sports Pvt. Ltd., a division of ACG, a global leader in integrated manufacturing solutions for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Leveraging ACG's deep-rooted commitment to societal advancement, this initiative represents a natural extension of its decade-long investment in grassroots basketball programs. To guide the league's global strategy and operations, Mr. Jeremy Loeliger, Former CEO & Commissioner of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL), has been appointed Director of ACG Sports. In his new role, Loeliger will lead the development of the league's blueprint, bringing international standards of governance, competition, and commercial innovation to the Indian shores. 'Basketball represents more than just a sport – it is a vehicle for building character, leadership, and opportunity," said Mr. Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG. 'Our decade-long journey, beginning with grassroots initiatives has focused on systematically making basketball accessible across India while building the professional pathways that young athletes need to thrive.' He further added, 'Our vision for this professional basketball league is to establish a self-sustaining ecosystem where every child with passion and talent can see a viable future in basketball in India. We're grateful for the partnership with BFI in making this dream a reality. While this is a commendable first step, we know that building a thriving basketball ecosystem will require sustained effort and collective support to reach its full potential.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ACG's leadership role in this initiative goes far beyond league operations. As part of its long-term strategy, ACG will launch India's first fully residential high-performance centre within the year. The academy will feature world-class facilities, attract top coaching talent from the U.S. and Australia, and offer comprehensive training programmes for players, coaches, and referees. Nutrition, mental wellness, and academic balance will be integral to the curriculum – ensuring holistic development of future stars. Mr. Aadhav Arjuna, President of the Basketball Federation of India, stated: 'This partnership with ACG is unlike anything we've seen before. It is driven by vision, structured for long-term impact, and rooted in a clear understanding of what Indian basketball truly needs. We're building not just visibility, but real momentum and global credibility.' The complete league framework including team structures, competition formats, player eligibility, and governance models – is currently in development with input from global basketball experts and key industry stakeholders. Detailed announcements on participation guidelines, venue requirements, and operational protocols will follow in a phased rollout. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the coming months, the newly formed League Council will begin overseeing standards and operations, while nationwide scouting initiatives, customised athlete development tracks, and dynamic fan engagement programs will begin laying the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive, and commercially sustainable basketball culture in India. The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India. It is responsible for the development and promotion of the sports authority of India at all levels. BFI manages all the national-level basketball operations in India and sports authority of India is also undertaking basketball federation of India. First national level tournaments were organized in India in 1934. The India national basketball team became a member of FIBA in 1936. The governing body, BFI, was formed in 1950. Mr. Aadhav Arjuna is the president of the Basketball Federation of India.
