Latest news with #BasketballFederationofIndia
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India's first-ever professional basketball league announced
India's first-ever professional basketball league has been launched. The competition will feature a structured competitive league in 5x5 and 3x3 formats for both men and women, establishing a comprehensive professional ecosystem that will allow athletes across the country to pursue basketball as a viable career. This league, launched on Friday, is a collaboration between the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and ACG Sports Private Limited. Designed to redefine how basketball is played, experienced, and supported in India, it aims to shift basketball from a niche discipline into a mainstream pursuit. Jeremy Loeliger, Former CEO and Commissioner of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) has been appointed Director of ACG Sports to guide the league's global strategy and operations. 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, as per a press release from BFI and ACG. "Basketball represents more than just a sport - it is a vehicle for building character, leadership, and opportunity," said Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG. 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 are 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." 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 the holistic development of future stars. 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. Our vision is to win medals at the Asian Games and Olympics" Kulvinder Singh Gill, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of India, stated: "This league will unlock new opportunities for young Indian talent to grow, compete professionally, and gain invaluable exposure alongside international players and coaches." 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. 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.
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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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
BFI, ACG unveil India's first pro basketball league for men and women
India has taken a major leap in its sporting journey with the launch of its first-ever professional basketball league, a joint effort by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and ACG Sports Private Limited. The league, which will host competitions in both 5x5 and 3x3 formats for men and women, is designed to offer athletes across the nation a legitimate pathway to pursue basketball professionally. By creating a full-fledged league ecosystem, the organisers aim to shift basketball from a niche sport into the Indian mainstream. The initiative also includes international expertise and a plan to build a high-performance residential academy. With strong structural backing and a bold vision, the league is expected to lay the groundwork for India to compete globally and, eventually, pursue podium finishes at major international events. India's Basketball Dream Finds Structure With the launch of the new league, Indian basketball finally has a structured, year-round competitive platform. ACG's Managing Director, Karan Singh, highlighted the project as a milestone for Indian sport, saying the long-term goal is to ensure that children who dream of playing basketball see a clear professional path ahead of them. He believes the sport has the power to develop character and leadership in addition to athletic skill. Global Expertise at the Helm To ensure the league meets global standards, former Australian NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger has been brought on board as Director of ACG Sports. He will oversee the league's strategic planning and operations, introducing international best practices in league management, athlete development, and commercial partnerships. Building a Pipeline of Talent As part of its broader plan, ACG will establish India's first fully residential high-performance basketball centre. The facility will offer advanced coaching, mental and physical conditioning, and academic balance, helping young athletes evolve both on and off the court. Laying Foundations for Future Glory BFI President Aadhav Arjuna stressed that this is not just about visibility, but about momentum and building real capability to succeed on the global stage. The Federation's Secretary General, Kulvinder Singh Gill, echoed those thoughts, adding that the league will give young players the chance to grow through exposure to international coaches and competition. What Lies Ahead The league's detailed framework including team formation, player eligibility, venues, and operational rules is still being finalised with input from basketball experts. In the months ahead, a League Council will take over operations, while scouting camps, athlete development pathways, and fan engagement initiatives are set to roll out. The long-term aim is to foster an inclusive, commercially viable, and globally respected basketball culture in India.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India's first-ever professional basketball league announced in association with BFI
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 7 (ANI): India's first-ever professional basketball league has been launched, with the competition set to 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. This league, launched on Friday, is a collaboration between the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and ACG Sports Private Limited. 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. To guide the league's global strategy and operations, Jeremy Loeliger, Former CEO and 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, as per a press release from BFI and ACG. 'Basketball represents more than just a sport - it is a vehicle for building character, leadership, and opportunity,' said Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG. 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 are 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.' 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. 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. Our vision is to win medals at the Asian Games and Olympics' Kulvinder Singh Gill, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of India, stated: 'This league will unlock new opportunities for young Indian talent to grow, compete professionally, and gain invaluable exposure alongside international players and coaches.' 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. 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. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's first-ever professional basketball league announced in association with BFI
India's first-ever professional basketball league has been launched, with the competition set to 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. This league, launched on Friday, is a collaboration between the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and ACG Sports Private Limited . 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. To guide the league's global strategy and operations, Jeremy Loeliger, Former CEO and 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, as per a press release from BFI and ACG. "Basketball represents more than just a sport - it is a vehicle for building character, leadership, and opportunity," said Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG. 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 are 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." Live Events 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. 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. Our vision is to win medals at the Asian Games and Olympics" Kulvinder Singh Gill, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of India, stated: "This league will unlock new opportunities for young Indian talent to grow, compete professionally, and gain invaluable exposure alongside international players and coaches." 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. 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.
