Bangalore, October 25, 2014: Basketball Federation of India (BFI) in collaboration with IMG Reliance (IMG R) recently launched the Indian School Basketball League (ISBL) and Indian College Basketball League (ICBL). Through this joint initiative, BFI and IMG R have undertaken the challenge to inculcate the basic knowledge of the game of basketball at grassroots levels and cultivate the talent into national standards.
The school’s premier league commenced in Bangalore today with Delhi Public School being the host venue. First match was between the boys category where the host Delhi Public School and New Horizon PS challenged each other. Delhi Public School had the upper hand with a score of 41 and 36, highest scorers for this match were Dheeraj (10) and Dev (17). Second match was between Kumarans Public school and St Joseph Indian HS, where St Joseph emerged winners with (21 – 23) and Aditya has the highest scorer with a score of 12.
In the Girls category, Bishop Cotton GS challenged New Horizon PS, where Bishop Cotton GS won with a score of (32 – 13) and Aksa (12) – Aishwarya (7) emerged to be the highest scorers. In the last match, Carmel H S played opposite Nirmala Rani HS, where Nirmala Rani took the lead by (10 – 26) and Megha (5) and Chandana (11) were the highest scorers.
Comprising of over 680 colleges and over 8000 participants, the ISBL is the premier school basketball competition in the nation. The city champions from the ISBL’s Premier League will participate in a National Championship to be held in December 2014 in New Delhi.
About the Basketball Federation of India
The Basketball Federation of India or BFI is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India, and is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels. BFI has been involved in conducting camps, clinics, events, and training sessions at its academies for the development of basketball. BFI came into being in 1935 and took complete control over Indian basketball in 1950. Prior to that time, the Indian Olympic Association handled the conduct of Indian basketball championships. Since 1950, the BFI has been conducting various such championships, from the grassroots to senior team participation in international tournaments.
In addition, the BFI has been responsible for the establishment of strong sub-junior and junior level programs. The BFI has to its credit produced several international players of repute, among them 16 have been bestowed with the honor of Arjuna Award. More information at www.indiabasketball.org
About IMG Reliance
IMG Reliance Pvt Ltd., is an equal joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India’s largest and most recognized private sector company, and IMG Worldwide (IMG), the world’s leading sports marketing and management company. The joint venture company will develop, market and manage sports and entertainment in India. Its current assets include India’s premier fashion event, Lakmé Fashion Week and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour event, the Aircel Chennai Open. IMG Reliance has entered agreements with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to create a new professional basketball league and manage all aspects of the commercial rights to the game in India and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), to improve, popularize and promote the game of football throughout India, from the grassroots to the professional level. IMG Reliance has also created a scholarship program to identify and train talented young Indians from sports including – basketball, soccer and tennis-at IMG’s world-class sports training facilities at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.