75th Junior National Basketball Championship to ignite Ludhiana from Sep 2 to 9

Ludhiana, August 11, 2025: The 75th Junior National Basketball Championship for Men & Women will be held from September 2 to 9, 2025, at the state of the art Guru Nanak Stadium Indoor Basketball Courts. This prestigious event will showcase India’s finest young basketball talent, promoting sportsmanship and inspiring youth to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle.

Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma who is chairman of the organizing committee stated that a total of 58 teams, comprising 31 men’s teams and 27 women’s teams, will compete in 160 matches, including 108 league matches (60 men’s, 48 women’s) and 52 knockout matches (26 men’s, 26 women’s, including loser knockouts). Approximately 900 individuals, including players, Basketball Federation of India (BFI) officials, technical personnel, referees, and support staff, will gather in Ludhiana, joined by hundreds of enthusiastic daily spectators for this eight-day sporting spectacle.

Sharma added that the event is privileged to have the patronage of Mayor Inderjit Kaur, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, and Municipal Commissioner Aditya Dachalwal, who are extending their full support to ensure its success. He also stated that DCP (Law and Order and Traffic) Parminder Singh Bhandal who is also an international basketball player and Arjuna Awardee is the organizing secretary along with DCP (investigation) Harpal Singh who is an acclaimed boxing player and Arjuna Awardee, will act as the vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee. Their expertise ensures a seamlessly executed championship.

The Police Commissioner informed that in alignment with Punjab’s 'Yudh Nashiya Virudh' campaign, the Punjab Basketball Association (PBA), led by Teja Singh Dhaliwal, is dedicated to promoting sports to steer youth away from drug abuse. He informed that this championship serves as a platform to inspire young people and strengthen Punjab’s vibrant spirit, Rangla Punjab, through community-driven initiatives. He also stated that dope testing will also be carried out before the matches. He exhorted schools, colleges, and the public to bring children to Guru Nanak Stadium to witness exhilarating matches free of charge, encouraging the next generation to embrace sports.

Sharma added that teams have been organized into six groups per section, with men’s and women’s divisions split into Level 1 (Groups A and B, comprising last year’s top 10 teams) and Level 2 (Groups C, D, E, F). The men’s Level 2 groups each have 5 teams, while the women’s section includes Group C with 5 teams and Groups D, E, and F with 4 teams each. Winning teams will progress through quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals, promising intense competition and showcasing the future of Indian basketball.

To ensure a comfortable experience, participants will enjoy well-arranged accommodations in hotels and lodges, with daily transportation provided between hotels and the venue starting September 1, 2025. A dedicated food court near the stadium will serve meals for players, while visitors can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, snacks, and water. Additionally, the PBA has planned a cultural experience for out-of-state players, offering special bus services to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar, enriching their time in Punjab with a memorable cultural journey.

Supported by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and corporate partners, the event guarantees a world-class experience. Team managers will receive contact details for PBA committee members to facilitate seamless coordination. Admission to the tournament is free for all spectators, inviting everyone to join in supporting Punjab’s mission to empower youth through sports.

Former IGP Yurinder Singh Hayer, Former SSP Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar, DCP Parminder Singh Bhandal, Teja Singh Dhaliwal, Pritpal Singh Dhillon and others were also present.