Mahindra NBA Challenge tips off in Ludhiana

Ludhiana, July 28, 2012 –The Mahindra NBA Challenge, the largest, multi-city, community-based basketball league in India, tipped off at Guru Nanak Stadium here today. The opening ceremony was conducted in the presence of Ishwar Singh, Commissioner of Police-Ludhiana and Senior Vice President, Punjab Basketball Association and Troy Justice, Senior Director, Basketball Operations International, NBA India. Conducted in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and Punjab Basketball Association, the program will run for seven weeks culminating on September 9.

This year, the Ludhiana league features 112teams under eight divisions total for males and females: sub-junior for ages 12 to 13, youth for ages 14 to16, junior for ages 16 to 18 and adults ages 19 and over.

For the first time, the Mahindra NBA Challenge will feature a National Championship which will take place in Delhi Oct. 4-7, 2012.  The winning teams from the Senior and Under 18 divisions, for both Men and Women, will travel to Delhi to compete for the championship and train with an NBA Legend.

This year the Mahindra NBA Challenge also features a new player development program in each city called Generation adidas. Forty up and coming players from the boys and girls U 13 and U 16 divisions will be selected to participate in two exclusive Generation adidas clinics during the season in Ludhiana on Aug. 24 and Sept. 6.  The top eight players will be selected from the clinics and will receive one year of specialized training and adidas basketball gear.

adidas is the official outfitter for the Mahindra NBA Challenge will provide a special commemorative jersey to playoff teams in each city as well as unique national championship uniforms for teams that qualify.  Spalding serves as the program’s official equipment supplier. 

The Mahindra NBA Challenge not only involves competitive games, but also provides opportunities for skill development with more than 200 total player and coaching clinics conducted to date.  Additionally, six different NBA All-Stars and NBA/WNBA Legends have traveled to India over the past two seasons to run clinics for participants.