India, September 30, 2014: Basketball Federation of India (BFI) in collaboration with IMG Reliance recently launched its two leagues, designed for college and school students – Indian School Basketball League (ISBL) and Indian College Basketball League (ICBL). The school league commenced today in Indore and New Delhi.
Day One of the Premier League saw the boys’ team from host campus Modern School, Barakhamba team opposite St. Thomas School. The home side won their match by an easy margin of 30 – 10. Next match was played between the DPS, Mathura Road and Bluebells School, where DPS succeeded by 11 – 9. In the last match for the day, Bal Bharti School, Ganga Ram challenged DPS, RK Puram, where the latter emerged as the winner by 32-19.
In Indore, The Bhavans P.School met Shri Gujarati Samaj School, New Digamber Public School took on Delhi Public School Indore, Advanced Academy played The Emerald Heights. The Bhavans P. School, Delhi Public School Indore and Advanced Academy School emerged as winners with scores of 39 – 19, 32 – 9 and 37 – 32, respectively.
Among girls, Colonel’s Academy played Delhi Public School, Indore, where DPS won by a score of 20 – 12, New Digamber Public School was defeated by The Bhavans P. School, with a scoreline of 14 – 8. Choithram School, North Campus and Advanced Academy match went down to the wire. Advanced Academy survived the close duel 34 – 30.
Talking about the commencement of the league, Mrs. Roopam Harish Sharma, CEO, Basketball Federation of India, who was present at Delhi Public School, Indore to boost the confidence of the players, said, “It is a great experience to witness the energy and enthusiasm in young blood of our country. I am sure each one of them is a winner in one way or another, we just need platforms like Indian School Basketball and Indian College Basketball league, which provides opportunities for this talent to propagate.”
Joining Mrs. Roopam Harish Sharma for the opening ceremony were Mrs. B.J.M. Sharma, Chairman, Madhya Pradesh Basketball Association and its secretary Mr. Kulwinder Singh Gill.
Premier League: Results:
Delhi: Boys: Bal Bharti School, Ganga Ram lost to DPS, RK Puram 19 – 32
Girls: Modern School beat St. Thomas School 30 – 10; DPS, Mathura Rd beat Bluebells International School 11 – 9
Indore: Boys: The Bhavans P.School beat Shri Gujarati Samaj School 39 – 19 (Hayank Barde – 8 pts, Narendra Negi – 8 pts); New Digamber Public School lost to Delhi Public School Indore 9 – 32 (Tushar Pathak – 6 pts, Naman Mishra – 6 pts; Advanced Academy beat The Emerald Heights School 37 – 32 (Arun Singh – 15 pts)
Girls: Colonel’s Academy lost to Delhi Public School, Indore 12 – 20 (Gauravi Haharishi – 8 pts, Sanjana Pani – 8 pts); New Digamber Public School lost to The Bhavans P. School 8 – 14 (Ranisha Sharma – 8 pts); Choithram School, North Campus lost to Advanced Academy 30 – 34 (Nikita Raut – 22 pts)
Tomorrow’s Fixtures: October 1, 2014 (Venue: Modern School, Barakhamba)
Delhi: Boys: Modern School, Barakhamba vs Bal Bharti School, Ganga Ram Marg (11:00 AM); Blue Bells International School vs DPS, RK Puram (12:00 AM)
Delhi: Girls: St. Thomas School, Mandir Marg, vs DPS, RK Puram (09:00 AM); Modern School, Barakhamba vs Blue Bells International (10:00 AM)
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 17 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.