Chennai sets benchmark in basketball

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The inaugural edition of the Chennai invitation all-India basketball tournament has come as a whiff of fresh air.

Never-ending factional feud in the Tamil Nadu Basketball Association dented the reputation of the state as a host in the past four years.

The demise of an array of all-India tournaments — an annual affair across TN with all the top teams competing — has robbed hoop game enthusiasts of quality action.

The ongoing all-India tournament, hosted by the newly-formed Trotters BC, at the T. Nagar Corporation ground has drawn appreciation from various quarters.

The event, no doubt, is unique for a number of reasons. As the vice-president of the Basketball Federation of India, M. Venkatesh, says, it has already set a benchmark for other all-India events.

“It’s easily the best in the country and the aura around the stadium is unmatchable,” he adds. The BFI official isn’t exaggerating.

The organisers have done a commendable job in converting an open-air ground into an impressive playing arena. The field has all big names of the country and the line-up of sponsors is comparable to that of a cricket event. Players enjoy three-star accommodation facilities.

The cement court has been blanketed with high-quality Terra Flex imported from Dubai. All matches are videographed from four different angles. DVDs are handed over to the coaches right after the match.

Live webcast is an added attraction. For the first time, organisers have used NBA-style software for statistical scoring. The highlight is the presence of an American team — Shooting For Success.

Showing supreme athleticism and gravity-defying dunks, the SFS players are a treat to watch.

The man behind the show is CEO of Medall Healthcare, Raju Venkatraman, who was also ins-trumental in reviving Mumbai’s prestigious Ramu Memorial Cup.

Raju has made it clear that he has no intention of joining the TNBA. “I am doing this for the love of the game. I played basketball as a student in IIT.

It has always been my dream to run a tournament in Chennai. My only aim is to make it bigger and better with every passing year,” he said.

Pratibha Shekar, former national captain, says players are given utmost priority. “When I was a player, we had to travel in unreserved compartments and often had no place to sleep.

In those days, there was hardly any prize money and all we got was a flask or steel vessels or a bag. Today, it’s nice to see players getting a three-star accommodation,” she said.

John Jungers, coach of American team Shooting For Success, has been sharing his expertise with his Indian counterparts. Players are of the opinion that competing against the Americans will help them improve their game.