The four-member Indian squad comprises Reena Gupta, Irengbam Ritu Chanu, Minakshi Harichandra Jadhav and Laxmi Rayappa Rayannavar.

The quartet booked its place in the Games through the Asia-Oceania qualification pathway, alongside Australia, securing one of the region’s two available spots and marking a landmark milestone for wheelchair basketball in the country.

India’s Fixtures

The Indian women have been drawn in Pool B, where they will face Wales, Scotland, and Nigeria in the group stage.

• July 25 - Wales vs India: Morning Session 10:00 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. local time (14:30 p.m. to 18:00 p.m. IST)

• July 26 - India vs Scotland: Evening Session 17:00 and 21:15 p.m. local time (21:30 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. IST)

• July 27- India vs Nigeria Evening Session 17:00 p.m. to 21:15 p.m. local time (21:30 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. IST)

The knockout stages, including the semifinals and medal matches, will be played on July 28 and 29.

Where to Watch

Fans in India can watch all the action from the Commonwealth Games, including the 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball tournament, live on Sony LIV with a paid subscription.

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The basketball season will begin with Cluster-level competitions in July, followed by the National Basketball Championship scheduled to take place in October 2026.

Schools will compete across the Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19 age categories for both boys and girls, subject to their respective cluster formats.

Complete basketball schedule

Cluster I: Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram & Tripura

Venue: Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, Assam
Date: 7–9 Aug 2026

Cluster II: Odisha, West Bengal & Chhattisgarh

Venue: Burnpur River Side School, Burnpur, West Bengal
Date: 23–26 Jul 2026

Cluster III: Bihar & Jharkhand

Venue: Narain World School, Rohtas, Bihar
Date: 24–28 Jul 2026

Cluster IV: Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow Region)

Girls
Venue: Rediyent Public School, Lucknow
Date: 21–25 Jul 2026

Boys
Venue: St. Pathik Vidyalaya, Bahraich
Date: 5–8 Aug 2026

Cluster V: Uttar Pradesh (Prayagraj Region)

Girls
Venue: Sanskar International School, Prayagraj
Date: 17–22 Jul 2026

Boys
Venue: ML Public School, Varanasi
Date: 6–9 Aug 2026

Cluster VI: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Andaman & Nicobar

Venue: Shrishti Vidyashram, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Date: 25–29 Aug 2026

Cluster VII: Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

Girls
Venue: Akshara Vidyalaya, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
Date: 29–31 Aug 2026

Boys
Venue: Excellencia Infinitum School, Hyderabad, Telangana
Date: 28–30 Aug 2026

Cluster VIII: Karnataka

Venue: The Amaatra Academy, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Date: 28 Jul–2 Aug 2026

Cluster IX: Maharashtra, Goa, Daman & Diu & Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Venue: Sanjay Ghodawat International School, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Date: 22–25 Aug 2026

Cluster X: North Kerala

Venue: Marygiri English Medium School, Kannur, Kerala
Date: 7–9 Aug 2026

Cluster XI: South Kerala & Lakshadweep

Venue: St. Kuriakose Public School, Kottayam, Kerala
Date: 5–8 Aug 2026

Cluster XII: Madhya Pradesh

Girls
Venue: LNCT World School, Bhopal
Date: 30 Jul–2 Aug 2026

Boys
Venue: Golden International School, Indore
Date: 3–6 Sep 2026

Cluster XIII: Gujarat

Girls
Venue: Navrachana Higher Secondary School, Vadodara
Date: 22–25 Aug 2026

Boys
Venue: Gujarat Public School, Vadodara
Date: 24–27 Jul 2026

Cluster XIV: Rajasthan

Girls
Venue: Mayoor School, Sri Ganganagar
Date: 15–19 Aug 2026

Boys
Venue: Vidyasthali Public School, Jaipur
Date: 17–20 Jul 2026

Cluster XV: Haryana (Gurugram Region)

Girls
Venue: GV International High School, Jhajjar
Date: 2–5 Aug 2026

Boys
Venue: Sir Chhotu Ram Modern Senior Secondary School, Sonipat
Date: 27–30 Aug 2026

Cluster XVI: Haryana (Panchkula Region) & Himachal Pradesh

Girls
Venue: Spring Dale Convent School, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Date: 29 Jul–1 Aug 2026

Boys
Venue: Pinegrove School, Dharampur, Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Date: 6–10 Aug 2026

Cluster XVII: Punjab (Patiala Region)

Girls
Venue: St. Xavier’s School, Bathinda
Date: 20–23 Jul 2026

Boys
Venue: Guru Nanak Dev Public School, Bathinda
Date: 15–18 Jul 2026

Cluster XVIII: Punjab (Ludhiana Region) & Jammu & Kashmir

Girls
Venue: Montessori Cambridge School, Pathankot, Punjab
Date: 21–23 Jul 2026

Boys
Venue: Montessori Cambridge School, Pathankot, Punjab
Date: 24–26 Jul 2026

Cluster XIX: Noida & Dehradun Region

Girls
Venue: DAV Public School, Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh
Date: 5–8 Aug 2026

Boys
Venue: Divya Public School, Shamli, Uttar Pradesh
Date: 16–19 Aug 2026

Cluster XX: Delhi

Girls
Venue: Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Date: 21–24 Jul 2026

Boys
Venue: The Mann School, Delhi
Date: 27–31 Jul 2026

National Level

The winners from the Cluster Championships will qualify for the National Championship.

The Girls National Championship will be held in Narain World School, Jamuhar, Rohtas, Bihar, from 20–26 Sep 2026, while the Boys National Championship will be held at St. Xavier’s School, Model Town, Bathinda, Punjab, from 29 Sep–October 6, 2026.

CBSE has stated that the sports calendar is subject to change. Schools and participants are advised to regularly check the CBSE Sports Portal and confirm schedules with the host schools before making travel or accommodation arrangements.

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Despite entering the knockout clash unbeaten after topping Group A with convincing wins over Thailand, Oman, and Indonesia, India were unable to overcome a disciplined Kazakhstan side that controlled the game from the opening quarter to book their place in the final.

The result also means India will remain in Division B, with only the tournament champions earning promotion to Division A.

Kazakhstan Take Early Control

India stayed within touching distance during the opening half but struggled to generate consistent offense against Kazakhstan’s aggressive defense.

They grabbed five offensive rebounds in the first quarter while preventing India from securing any, converting those opportunities into six second-chance points. Their ability to push the pace also paid dividends, scoring nine fast-break points compared to India’s none.

Kazakhstan edged the first quarter 15-10 before extending their advantage to 25-16 at halftime.

Any hopes of a comeback were effectively dashed in the third quarter as Kazakhstan produced a decisive 21-11 run, stretching the lead to 46-27 heading into the final period. India were unable to close the gap in the fourth as Kazakhstan completed a comfortable 60-36 victory.

India Struggles Offensively

India endured their toughest offensive outing of the tournament, shooting just 26.4% (14-of-53) from the field. Their perimeter shooting also deserted them, making only 1 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc (8.3%) compared to Kazakhstan’s six threes.

The Indian side committed 33 turnovers, which the Central Asian capitalized on throughout the contest.

Promotion dream ends

The defeat ends India’s quest for promotion back to Division A, with Kazakhstan advancing to the Division B final and remaining in contention for the lone promotion spot.

The South Asian country will now shift its focus to the third-place playoff, where it will look to finish its campaign on a positive note after an otherwise impressive tournament that saw it top Group A with three convincing victories.

Kazakhstan (Kaussar Ybray 18pts & 8stl & 5reb, Yerlan Shakhida 15pts & 3reb, Milana Krutevich 9pts & 9reb) bt India (Mahek Sharma 9pts & 6reb, Aditi Subramanian 7pts & 6reb & 3stl, Taarushee Tarun 4pts & 14reb) 60-36 [15-10, 10-6, 21-11, 14-9]

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After crushing Oman and Thailand in their opening two games, India saved their best display for last, outscoring Indonesia in every quarter on the way to a commanding 33-point victory.

Early Control

After going 0-9 in the opening minutes, Indonesia attempted to fight back, but India closed the first quarter with a 22-18 advantage before tightening the screws defensively.

Any hopes of an Indonesian comeback disappeared after the break. India produced an explosive third and fourth quarter outscoring Indonesia 46-20 to seal the comprehensive victory.

Balanced Scoring

India had four players score in double figures in a complete team performance.

Viha Reddy Jonnalagadda led the scoring with 15 points while also pulling down eight rebounds and converting 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Mahek Sharma was outstanding, matching Viha’s 15 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds.

Taarushee Tarun added 14 points, while Vaishnavi Prashant Pardeshi flirted with a double-double, contributing 11 points and a game-high nine assists to orchestrate India’s offence.

India showcased excellent ball movement throughout the contest, finishing with 25 assists on 32 made field goals. The team also controlled the glass with a 50-20 rebounding advantage, including 13 offensive rebounds that created numerous second-chance opportunities.

Defensively, India forced difficult shots throughout the game while limiting Indonesia to just 46 points, including only 20 points in the second half.

Straight into the Semifinals

The victory ensures the Indian girls finish as Group A winners, earning direct passage to the semifinals and avoiding the qualification crossover round.

Having returned to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup after missing the 2024 Division B edition, the team has now completed a perfect group-stage campaign and moved one step closer to earning promotion back to Division A.

India ( Viha Reddy 15pts & 8reb, Mahek Sharma 15pts & 7reb, Vaishnavi Pardeshi 11pts & 9ast & 4reb) bt Indonesia (Ariqa Shafa Chayyara 9pts & 6reb, Joanne Giovanni 10pts, I Gusti Ayu Krisabella 5pts) 79-46 [22-18, 11-8, 19-9, 27-11]

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After a convincing win over hosts Thailand, the Indian team produced another one-sided performance, racing to a 28-5 lead after the opening quarter before extending the advantage to 59-10 at halftime.

Oman struggled to cope with India’s relentless full-court pressure and managed just two points in the third period as the South Asian side cruised to an 82-point victory.

Taarushee Tarun led all scorers with a 25-point outing, converting 11 of her 18 field-goal attempts while also grabbing five rebounds. Sadhana dominated the paint with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds, while adding six blocks to anchor India’s defence.

Mahek Sharma and Angelina Arun George chipped in with 12 points each.

India’s teamwork was evident throughout the contest. The team registered 31 assists on 43 made field goals, outrebounded Oman by a staggering 70-9 margin, forced 30 steals, and recorded 10 blocks in a complete all-around performance.

The defensive intensity set the tone from the opening tip. India consistently converted turnovers into easy transition baskets and dominated the offensive glass, collecting 34 offensive rebounds to earn multiple second-chance opportunities.

Although India’s outside shooting was modest, making five three-pointers, they were highly effective inside the arc, knocking down 38 two-point field goals at over 53 percent. The balanced attack also saw every player contribute, with six Indian players scoring five or more points.

India (Taarushee Tarun 25pts & 5reb, Mahek Sharma 12pts & 7reb, Sadhana 12pts & 14reb ) bt Oman (Alissar Al Taee 3pts, Noor Ahmed Said Mohammed Al Kharusi 3pts, Lamar Al Said 3pts) 99-17 [28-5, 31-5, 19-2, 21-5]

Upcoming Game

India next takes on Indonesia in Bangkok on July 15 at 14:30 p.m. IST.

Where to Watch

Watch all the games live for free on FIBA’s YouTube channel

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After a closely contested opening few minutes, India took control to lead 26-14 at the end of the first quarter. The advantage grew to 56-26 by halftime before India put the game beyond doubt with a dominant third quarter, outscoring Thailand 28-4.

Although Thailand tried to fight back and claimed the final period 32-22, the result was never in doubt.

The South Asian side shot an impressive 57% from the field, including 63% from inside the arc, while dishing out 29 assists on 40 made baskets. The team also forced 36 turnovers and collected 26 steals.

Captain Viha Reddy Jonnalagadda led the scoring with 17 points, while adding four assists and five steals in just over 21 minutes.

Nethra Birudavolu starred as the chief playmaker, finishing with 15 points, eight assists, and seven steals, while Aditi Subramanian also scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

India’s balanced attack saw six players score in double figures. Vaishnavi Prashant Pardeshi was perfect from the field, securing 11 points after scoring every shot she attempted.

Tarannum Begum contributed 10 points, and Mahek Sharma added another nine. Every Indian player who took the court got on the scoresheet.

The contest was defined by India’s relentless pressure. They led for 37 minutes and 18 seconds, built a 56-point maximum advantage, and produced a game-changing 21-0 scoring run that completely swung the momentum in their favour.

Thailand led for just 2 minutes and 18 seconds in the opening stages before India took control for good.

The convincing victory gives India a perfect start to their FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B campaign as they look to challenge for promotion back to Division A.

Upcoming Game

India next takes on Oman in Bangkok on July 14 at 14:30 p.m. IST.

Where to Watch

Watch all the games live for free on FIBA’s YouTube channel

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It is scheduled to take place from August 22 to 30, 2026, and will be hosted at the Indoor Basketball Court, VIBGYOR High School, Borivali West, Mumbai.

League Details

The league is designed exclusively for the Under-13 age group and will feature both boys’ and girls’ divisions, with six teams in each. The tournament will also offer a total prize pool of about ₹1.68 lakh.

BDL is being conducted under the affiliation of the North Mumbai District Basketball Association (NMDBA) and the Maharashtra State Basketball Association (MSBA), providing a credible pathway for athletes.

Player registration details will be announced soon.

Team Ownership

Alongside player participation, Olympia Sportz has also opened team ownership and sponsorship opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and basketball supporters looking to contribute to grassroots development.

With only a limited number of ownership and sponsorship slots available, interested organisations are encouraged to register their interest at the earliest.

Ownership & sponsorship inquiries: +91 98842 47416

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The trials aim to identify talented players across multiple age groups who could earn an opportunity to compete on the international stage while also receiving professional evaluation and exposure.

Selection Trials

The selection trials will take place on July 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Bombay YMCA International House, South Mumbai.

Age Categories

The trials are open to boys and girls across four age groups:

• U12: Born in 2014 or later

• U14: Born in 2012 or later

• U16: Born in 2010 or later

• U18: Born in 2008 or later

International Exposure

The selected athletes will have the opportunity to compete against teams from across the Asia-Pacific region, providing exposure to different styles of play and a higher level of competition.

In addition, selected participants will undergo evaluations by experienced coaches, helping them understand their strengths and areas for development.

Players can expect:

• International tournament opportunities

• Professional coaching evaluation

• Global basketball exposure

• A pathway towards FIBA certification

Registration Details

Players interested in participating must complete their registration before the given date. The trials will be held at Bombay YMCA International House in South Mumbai, on July 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Each player has to pay a registration fee of ₹500.

For further information, interested participants can contact +91 9833361701 or scan the QR code in the official trial poster.

With limited seats available, aspiring young basketball players and their parents are encouraged to register as early as possible.

Register Now

India once again stamped its authority at the South Asian level with an unbeaten run at the SABA tournament, where the team won all four of its games to secure the title. The trophy ensured that the Indian girls earned the sub-zone’s lone berth in the Division B competition.

India drawn in Group A

India is now placed in Group A alongside Indonesia, Thailand, and Oman. The group stage will be played from July 13 to July 15, with each team playing three round-robin matches.

Following the group phase, the top two teams from Groups A and B will advance directly to the semi-finals. Teams finishing second and third will head to the Qualification rounds to fight for the remaining two semi-final spots. The bottom-placed teams will play for classification spots.

Promotion the ultimate prize

The winners of Division B will earn promotion to Division A for the next edition of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup, giving them the opportunity to compete against Asia’s elite junior women’s basketball nations.

For India, the tournament is a crucial chance to continue their South Asian dominance on a bigger stage and with more challenging opponents.

The tournament also marks India’s return to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup after missing the 2024 Division B edition. The team last competed in Division A in 2022, where they finished last and were relegated.

India’s Group Stage Fixtures

• India vs Thailand, July 13 - 5:00 p.m.

• Oman vs India, July 14 - 2:30 p.m.

• Indonesia vs India, July 15 - 2:30 p.m.

Where to Watch?

Watch all the games live for free on FIBA’s YouTube channel

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Four promising U14 players who distinguished themselves during BLK Season 1 departed from Kochi on July 7 to participate in a fully funded one-month High Performance Training and International Exposure Program in Taiwan, followed by international match exposure opportunities.

The pioneering initiative has been organised by Starting Five Sports Management Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Chung Hua Girls Junior High School and Chuangwei Boys Junior High School, both located in Yilan County, Taiwan, along with Ekalavyas Consultancy. This marks the first international player development program to emerge directly from BLK Season 1.

The Selected Players

• Neha Vinish – Trivandrum Capitals (accompanied by her mother)

• Arz Shaji – Thrissur Tuskers (accompanied by his mother)

• Devarsh Vinod – Calicut Warriors (accompanied by his elder brother)

• Alena Alphonsa – Trivandrum Capitals (accompanied by her mother)

The scholarship covers the complete cost of the program, including international travel, accommodation, training, local logistics, and exposure games, making it a unique opportunity for these young athletes and their families.

The players will undergo intensive basketball training under experienced Taiwanese coaches, interact with other young players, experience a different basketball culture, and participate in competitive tournaments.

Beyond basketball, the program is designed to broaden their perspectives through cultural exchange, discipline, and international learning experiences.

The initiative follows closely on the successful conduct of BLK Elevate 2026, where representatives from Adelaide Lightning of Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), including Tess Madgen and Mohan Koo, engaged with Kerala’s basketball ecosystem to explore long-term collaborations for player development, coach education, and women’s basketball.

Backed by KBA

The Kerala Basketball Association (KBA) has extended its support to the BLK Global Passport initiative, recognizing it as a landmark step in providing young basketball players from Kerala with a structured international pathway at an early stage of their development.

Starting Five Sports Management expressed its gratitude to Chung Hua Girls Junior High School, Chuangwei Boys Junior High School, and Ekalavyas Consultancy for their support in making this fully funded program possible.

Kerala 🏀 News and Updates

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McCrum joins the IBL after eight successful years with IPL team Rajasthan Royals, where he played a pivotal role in the franchise’s commercial growth and brand transformation.

During his tenure, he helped build one of cricket’s biggest communities while driving innovation across partnerships, fan engagement, and business operations.

New Chapter

He now brings that experience to Indian Basketball as it embarks on its mission to establish a professional league in partnership with ACG and the Basketball Federation of India, making it one of the country’s premier sports properties.

As CEO, McCrum will lead the league’s strategic vision, commercial growth, and fan engagement initiatives while working closely with stakeholders across the basketball ecosystem. His focus will be on building a sustainable environment that elevates the sport, creates new opportunities for players, and delivers a world-class entertainment product for fans.

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The highlight of the program was the participation of a high-level delegation from Adelaide Lightning, one of the oldest and most respected clubs in Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).

The delegation was led by Tess Madgen, General Manager of Adelaide Lightning and one of Australia’s most accomplished basketball players, having represented the country at the 2018 (Silver Medal) and 2022 (Bronze Medal) FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cups.

BLK Elevate 2026

As part of BLK Elevate, around 35 talented girls from the U14 and U19 categories of BLK Season 1, along with a select group of promising players from Kochi, participated in an exclusive two-hour High Performance Skill Session conducted by Madgen at the Regional Sports Centre, Kochi.

The young athletes had the opportunity to learn modern training methods, game intelligence, and player development techniques. The session generated tremendous enthusiasm among the participants, who described the experience as both inspiring and transformative.

Coach Workshop

Following the player development program, Madgen conducted an exclusive Coach Education Workshop for six BLK coaches, focusing on contemporary coaching practices, athlete development, leadership, and creating sustainable pathways for young basketball players.

The workshop reinforced the importance of investing in coach education as the foundation for long-term player development.

The day’s activities concluded with a Leadership & Business Roundtable, bringing together representatives from Adelaide Lightning, Starting Five Sports Management, the Kerala Basketball Association, and members of Kerala’s business community.

The discussions focused on creating a structured three-year partnership aimed at strengthening girls’ and women’s basketball, grassroots participation, coach education, international exchange programs, sports industry workforce development, WNBL fan engagement, and broader basketball ecosystem development in Kerala.

Representing Starting Five Sports Management were Directors Mr. P. Jacob and Mr. Zubin Meeran, along with Founder Promoters Mr. Joseph C. Joseph, Mr. Anil Kumar and Mr. Ajikumar Nair, who presented the long-term vision of building Basketball League Kerala into an internationally connected development platform.

Kerala-Australia Pathway

The roundtable concluded with a decision to jointly develop a strategic framework exploring collaboration between Kerala and Australia through basketball.

The proposed strategy will seek to leverage Kerala–Australia trade and business relationships to attract investment, build sustainable development programs, and enhance the visibility of women’s basketball.

The leadership of the Kerala Basketball Association, including President Mr. Jacob Joseph, Secretary Mr. P. C. Antony, and Life President Mr. P. J. Sunny, also actively participated and reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting future collaborative initiatives arising from BLK Elevate.

Kerala 🏀 News and Updates

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The league, which brought together the finest young basketball talent from across Telangana, witnessed intense competition, enthusiastic fan support, and outstanding individual performances.

Championship Results

Following a thrilling final day, Warangal Stallions clinched the Under-18 Boys title with a narrow 79-77 victory over Vikarabad Mambas, while the Vikarabad Mambas dominated the Under-15 Girls category with a 63-52 win against Warangal Stallions.

In the Under-18 Girls category, Nizam Royals secured the championship with a 73-66 win over Nalgonda Speed Strikers, and Vikarabad Mambas emerged champions in the Under-15 Boys category with a commanding 101-69 victory also against the Nalgonda Speed Strikers.

Standout Individual Players

The finals witnessed individual brilliance, with several players delivering standout performances under pressure.

Krish’s remarkable 69-point game in the U5 Boys final was one of the most dominant displays of the tournament, while Shreetej’s 29-point effort guided Warangal Stallions to a thrilling U18 Boys title.

Geetha’s commanding 30-point performance powered the U15 Girls Vikarabad Mambas team, and Bhavana’s 25-point contribution played a crucial role in Nizam Royals’ triumph.

Aaradhya, Krish, Bhavana, and Aadvik were also named the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) in their respective categories for their performances throughout the competition.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ravula Sridhar Reddy, President of TBA, said the successful conduct of TJBL was a landmark achievement for Telangana basketball.

“TJBL is the first junior franchise-based basketball league of its kind in the country. Our objective is to identify young talent, provide them with a professional platform, and create opportunities for them to grow into future champions. The overwhelming response from players, parents, coaches, franchise owners, and basketball enthusiasts has validated our vision,” he said.

Shri A. Prudhvishwar Reddy, General Secretary of TBA, expressed gratitude to the players and their parents for the support, saying:

“Our singular goal is to produce players who can bring laurels to Telangana and India. TJBL is only the beginning. We will continue engaging with all stakeholders and introduce more leagues, competitions, and development programmes to strengthen the basketball ecosystem in the state.”

The successful completion of TJBL marks the beginning of a new era for basketball in Telangana, creating a sustainable pathway for young talent and reinforcing the state’s sports prowess.

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The day 2 semi-final games across all four categories produced exciting contests, outstanding individual performances, and thrilling finishes.

In the Under-15 Girls category, Vikarabad Mambas put on a commanding display to defeat Nalgonda Speed Strikers 77-33. The Mambas dominated throughout the match, showcasing superior teamwork and attacking prowess.

The Under-15 Boys semi-final witnessed another impressive performance by Vikarabad Mambas, who overcame Warangal Stallions 89-82 in a high-scoring encounter. Both teams fought hard, but the Mambas held their nerve in the crucial stages to reach the final.

In the Under-18 Girls category, Nizam Royals defeated Ranga Reddy Raptors 89-71 in an entertaining contest. The Royals displayed consistency and composure to emerge victorious and book their place in the championship.

The most closely fought contest of the evening came in the Under-18 Boys category, where Warangal Stallions edged past Nalgonda Speed Strikers 73-69. The game remained evenly poised until the closing moments, when the Stallions sealed a hard-earned victory.

Top Performers

Several players delivered standout performances during the semifinals. For Vikarabad Mambas, Charitha scored an impressive 34 points in the Under-15 Girls game, while Aaradhya contributed 24 points.

In the Under-15 Boys category, Krish stole the show with a sensational 56-point performance for the Mambas, supported by Sidharth’s 17 points.

For Warangal Stallions, Abhiram fought valiantly with 41 points.

In the Under-18 Girls match, Diya and Bhavana led Nizam Royals with 23 and 22 points respectively, while Thanushvi scored 23 points for Ranga Reddy Raptors.

The Under-18 Boys semi-final featured exceptional performances: Reyhan of Nalgonda Speed Strikers scored 35 points, while Shreetej and Aadvik combined for 59 points for Warangal Stallions.

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The group phase concluded on Thursday June 25, setting up exciting semi-final clashes across the Under-15 and Under-18 boys’ and girls’ categories at the KVBR Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.

Group Stage Recap

The final days of the group stage showcased exactly why the league has captured the attention of basketball fans across Telangana, with several teams breaching the 100-point mark and individual performances stealing the spotlight.

One of the biggest moments of the tournament came in the Under-18 Boys division, where Warangal Stallions outclassed Ranga Reddy Raptors 117-104 in a high-octane contest that featured relentless scoring from both sides.

Another standout performance came from Vikarabad Mambas’ Krish, who delivered the highest scoring individual displays of the tournament. The youngster erupted for an astonishing 59 points as the Mambas defeated NLG Speed Strikers 90-81 in the Under-15 Boys category.

The Mambas have entered the semifinals after a dominant run which included an emphatic 102-54 victory over the Nizam Royals.

With the group stage now complete, the focus shifts to the knockout rounds, where even the smallest difference could determine a place in the inaugural TJBL finals.

Semi-final Schedule

June 26

• U-15 Girls: Warangal Stallions vs Nizam Royals – 5:00 PM

• U-15 Boys: NLG Speed Strikers vs Ranga Reddy Raptors – 6:00 PM

• U-18 Girls: Vikarabad Mambas vs NLG Speed Strikers – 7:00 PM

• U-18 Boys: Vikarabad Mambas vs Nizam Royals – 8:00 PM

June 27

• U-15 Girls: Vikarabad Mambas vs NLG Speed Strikers – 5:00 PM

• U-15 Boys: Vikarabad Mambas vs Warangal Stallions – 6:00 PM

• U-18 Girls: Nizam Royals vs Ranga Reddy Raptors – 7:00 PM

• U-18 Boys: Warangal Stallions vs NLG Speed Strikers – 8:00 PM

With places in the first ever TJBL championship on the line, the semi-finals promise another two days of fast-paced, high-scoring basketball as Telangana’s brightest young talents battle on court.

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During the event’s inauguration ceremony, Basketball Federation of India (BFI) President Aadhav Arjuna announced that the top 60 under-18 players from the championship would be identified through scouting and invited to special tryouts for the Indian Basketball League (IBL).

According to the announcement, scouts would assess all players throughout the tournament before selecting the best-performing 60 prospects for the IBL tryout process. The initiative was widely welcomed as a potential bridge between grassroots and professional basketball in India.

With the championship having concluded last month, further details regarding the next phase of the initiative are awaited. Information regarding the selected players, the format of the tryouts, and the timeline for the process has not yet been publicly announced.

Next Steps

The announcement generated considerable interest among players, coaches, and parents, many of whom are keen to learn more about the selection process and the upcoming tryouts.

The Junior National Championship is the country’s biggest stage for youth basketball talent, bringing together players from across almost every state and union territory. As a result, the proposed IBL tryouts are viewed as an important opportunity for emerging players to showcase their abilities and potentially take a step closer to the IBL ranks.

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The opening two days produced a mix of comeback wins, standout individual performances, and closely fought contests

An electric start

One of the biggest moments came in the opening game when the U18 Boys Nizam Royals fought back from an 11-point deficit to beat the Hyderabad Hurricanes 76-69. After trailing 52-45 heading into the fourth quarter, the Royals exploded for a 31-17 final period, with Krish leading the charge to complete a dramatic turnaround.

On day 2 of the TJBL, the U15 Boys NLG Speed Strikers also made an early statement, defeating the Nizam Royals 76-60. In a game that stayed competitive for three quarters, the Speed Strikers pulled away late with a dominant fourth quarter, powered by Rishabh Menon’s 28-point performance.

The Vikarabad Mambas emerged as one of the standout teams across the first two days, picking up three impressive wins. In the U15 Girls category, they edged the Rangareddy Raptors 71-65 in a closely contested battle, with Aardhya contributing a massive 33 points.

The Mambas then backed it up with a strong 73-61 win over the Warangal Stallions in the U18 Boys groups, recovering from a slow start before taking control in the second half. The star player of the game was Suryansh, who racked up 31 points.

The Vikarabad U18 Girls also won their first game against Hyderabad Hurricanes 47-24, with Suhani scoring 21 points and grabbing five rebounds.

With close finishes, high-scoring displays, and momentum-shifting runs on full display, the first two days of the TJBL have set the stage for an action-packed tournament ahead.

Team Standings

1. Vikarabad Mambas (3-0)

2. Nalgonda Speed Strikers (3-0)

3. Nizam Royals (2-2)

4. Ranga Reddy Raptors (1-2)

5. Hyderabad Hurricanes (1-3)

6. Warrangal Stallions (0-3)

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The league will commence on June 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium in Yousufguda and continue until June 28, 2026.

Games will be played daily between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., announced A. Prudhvishwar Reddy, General Secretary, Telangana Basketball Association.

Speaking about the initiative, 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 reflects the rapidly growing basketball culture in Telangana and the growing confidence of investors, stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts in the game's future.

League Structure

The tournament will feature Under-15 and Under-18 categories for both boys and girls. The inaugural season will comprise six city-based franchises: Hyderabad Hurricanes, Ranga Reddy Rulers, Nalgonda Ninjas, Vikarabad Predators, Warangal Wildfires, and Medak Monsters

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

TJBL has received an overwhelming response 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.

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The championship, which runs from June 14 to 21, has brought together participants representing teams from across four continents and more than 20 countries.

The competition features separate boys’ and girls’ divisions, with teams first competing in group-stage games before advancing to the knockout rounds.

Team India Rosters

U18 Boys

• Siddharth Maan (Delhi) – Centre

• Shourya Rahul Pandey (CBSEWSO) – Forward

• Deekshit Amin (Karnataka) – Centre

• Mohammed Sani Gauri (Delhi) – Point Guard

• Mohammad Raza Khan (Rajasthan) – Shooting Guard

• Devesh Swapnil Patel (Maharashtra) – Centre

• Shaurya Sachdeva (Punjab) – Centre

• Sanskar Saini (Rajasthan) – Shooting Guard

• Madhavendra Singh Jaitawat (Gujarat) – Forward

• Subham Singh (CBSE) – Shooting Guard

• Himanshu Singh (CBSE) – Point Guard

• Sri Saran Vadivel Murugan (CBSEWSO) – Forward

U18 Girls Team

• Tishmeet Kaur (Punjab) – Centre

• Deepika (Punjab) – Centre

• Sumithra Devi (Tamil Nadu) – Forward

• Anjani (CBSE) – Forward

• Gagandeep Kaur (Punjab) – Point Guard

• Kavya Sharma (Himachal Pradesh) – Centre

• Dinal Hardikbhai Vitthani (Gujarat) – Centre

• Vaishnavi Prashant Pardeshi (Maharashtra) – Point Guard

• Reva Amit Kulkarni (Maharashtra) – Shooting Guard

• Kamya Jha (CBSE) – Point Guard

• Divya Rangari (Chhattisgarh) – Shooting Guard

• Rumi Konwar (CBSE) – Shooting Guard

Group Stage Results

• India ISSO 23-80 Belgium (Girls)

• India 40-79 Chinese Taipei (Girls)

• Bulgaria 92-33 India ISSO (Girls)

• Algeria 90-40 India ISSO (Girls)

• Greece 113-24 India ISSO (Boys)

• Brazil 110-46 India 2 (Boys)

• India 63-47 Czechia (Boys)

• Cyprus 100-39 India ISSO (Boys)

• Saudi Arabia 97-24 India 2 (Boys)

• India 67-61 Slovakia (Boys)

• Israel 98-60 India ISSO (Boys)

• Germany 95-37 India 2 (Boys)

• Chinese Taipei 85-56 India (Boys)

Upcoming Fixtures

• India vs Germany - 18 June 2026 (Boys)

• India Isso vs Bulgaria - 18 June 2026 (Boys)

• India 2 vs Slovakia - 18 June 2026 (Boys)

• India vs Saudi Arabia - 18 June 2026 (Girls)

• India Isso vs Cyprus - 18 June 2026 (Girls)

How to Watch

Live streams and highlights are available through the ISF TV. Fans can also follow the championship through the International School Sport Federation’s official digital platforms.

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The draft featured 10 clubs selecting players for the upcoming U19 Northeast Basketball League, set to take place from June 22 in Aizawl. A total of 120 young athletes were officially drafted during the ceremony.

1v1 Basketball Festival

The draft ceremony was preceded by a high-energy 1v1 basketball festival that transformed the city into a celebration of youth, culture, and sport.

The event featured exciting basketball battles alongside performances by rappers, dancers, DJs, and local entertainers, creating an electrifying atmosphere and drawing massive attention from fans and youngsters across the region.

The upcoming event, part of ABC’s pan-India state leagues launch, aims to provide a platform for emerging basketball talent from the Northeast while building a strong sporting culture through entertainment and community engagement.

Organizers stated that this initiative will feature a structured league, player drafts, club systems, and youth development, and aims to shape the future of the sport in the country.

The Northeast Basketball League U19 edition is expected to feature some of the region's best young talent.

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