Jayesh Ranjan inaugurated Telangana Junior Basketball League (TJBL) at KVRIS

First-of-its-Kind Professional League for Young Basketball Talent in Telangana

Hyderabad, June 19, 2026: Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to Government, Metropolitan Area & Urban Development, Govt of Telangana inaugurated the Telangana Junior Basketball League (TJBL), a first-of-its-kind professional basketball league in the state dedicated exclusively to identifying, nurturing, and showcasing young talent in the city at Vijayabhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium(KVRIS) , Yousufguda in the city. The league will continue till 28th June. Matches will be held in the evening 5pm to 10pm till June 28.

It was inaugurated in the presence of Sridhar Reddy, President, TBA A.    Prudhvishwar Reddy, General Secretary; N. chandra Shekhar, Treasurer, Telangana Basketball Association, Masood Bin Ahmad Zakir, Chairman of TBA, Pratap Reddy and others

Addressing the gathering before the formal Inauguration Mr Jayesh Ranjan said the sports ecosystem in India is fully gearing up. So also the players from Telangana. Telangana players are regularly finding place in National and International teams. He appreciated TBA for conceptualising TJBL.

Jayesh Ranjan also unveiled the trophy of the league, interacted with franchisee owners and players.

TBA President Sridhar Reddy said, TBA is more vibrant than ever before. It is known now for pioneering leagues. Basket Platers from the state are also doing well nationally, he added.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Prudhvishwar Reddy said, “The objective behind TJBL is to nurture talent from the grassroots level, provide access to quality coaching and professional infrastructure, and create a sustainable ecosystem for basketball to thrive in Telangana. We want to identify promising players at a young age and provide them with a clear pathway to excel at the state, national, and international levels.”

He further added, “Our vision is to make Telangana the Basketball Capital of India. We envision a future where every district has access to quality coaching, competitive tournaments, and professional opportunities, enabling talented youngsters from all backgrounds to pursue excellence in the sport.”

TJBL has been conceived as a professional platform for aspiring young basketball players to showcase their abilities, gain competitive exposure, and accelerate their sporting careers. The league reflects the rapidly growing basketball culture in Telangana and the increasing confidence of investors, stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts in the future of the game.

 Two inaugural matches were held Under 18 Boys--Match Between Hyderabad Hurricane vs Nizam Royals and Under 15 Girls--Match Between Ranga Reddy Raptors Vs Vikarabad Mambas

The tournament is featuring Under-15 and Under-18 categories for both boys and girls, marking a significant milestone in the development of grassroots basketball in the state.

The inaugural season of the league comprises of six city-based franchises: Hyderabad hurricanes, Nizam royals, Warangal stallions, Nalgonda Speed Strikers, Rangareddy Raptors, Vikarabad Mambas

The franchise auction conducted in April set a new benchmark for junior sports leagues in Telangana, generating a total franchise valuation of ₹1.48 crore. The highest bid was recorded for Hyderabad Hurricanes, which was acquired by Prospero Groupfor an impressive ₹33 lakh.

The league has received an overwhelming response from across the state, with nearly 3,000 young athletes registering to participate. Following a rigorous selection process, shortlisted players underwent a month-long intensive training camp during May to sharpen their technical skills, improve fitness levels, and prepare for high-level competition.

With professional management, franchise ownership, structured player development, and competitive match play, TJBL is poised to become a landmark initiative in Telangana's sporting landscape and a launchpad for the next generation of basketball stars.

TJBL is expected not only to strengthen the talent pipeline for Telangana basketball but also to inspire thousands of young boys and girls to take up the sport and dream bigger.