While cricket and football dominate India’s sporting landscape, basketball has been making steady progress in recent years. With the growing popularity of the NBA in India and grassroots initiatives, the sport is gaining traction among young athletes. India’s national basketball team has also been making strides, participating in international competitions like the FIBA Asia Cup and World Championship qualifiers.
This article explores the journey of Indian basketball, focusing on the efforts of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to develop talent. It delves into the growing basketball culture in the country, thanks to NBA partnerships, basketball academies, and programs like the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA. Players like Amjyot Singh and Satnam Singh have made significant contributions to putting Indian basketball on the global map.
It also looks at the challenges Indian basketball faces, including a lack of infrastructure, limited funding, and the need for more international exposure. The article highlights how basketball is slowly becoming a viable career option for Indian athletes and how the future of the sport looks promising, with a growing fan base and increasing participation across schools and colleges.