Ambitious Manifesto Released ahead of BFI Elections

Presidential Nominee Aadhav Arjuna has released a manifesto promising big changes within the next eight years, including a top 10 world ranking for the Indian men's team.

The court-mandated BFI Elections are set to be held on 5 July 2023. Ahead of these elections, presidential nominee Mr Aadhav Arjuna, from Tamil Nadu, has released an ambitious manifesto.

The promises include bringing the Indian men’s team (currently ranked 83rd in the world) to within the top 10 teams, that too in a span of just eight years. In doing so, priority will be given to ensure Indian teams qualify for the Olympics in both the 3x3 and 5v5 categories.

Highlighting various lacunae in the current system - such as low coaching standards, lack of infrastructure, inadequate financial support etc., the manifesto aims to remedy all these deficits, through improved infrastructure, adequate finance, foreign coaches and sufficient accommodation.

Five BFI Zonal Academies have been envisioned, with a total annual outlay of Rs 10 crore (Rs 2 crore per zone).

Player and coaches’ prize money has been announced at the National Championships, totalling Rs 2.5 crores and Rs 65 lakhs respectively.

A development budget has also been declared at the National (Rs 1 crore to the States conducting the nationals), Zonal (Rs 1 crore for each of the four zones) and State levels (Rs 25 lakhs per state).

Referee remuneration will also be increased, with a daily allowance ranging from Rs 1500/- to Rs 4000/- per day, depending on the category level of the referee.

Additionally, the construction of a new BFI headquarters in Delhi has also been proposed.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, an Indian Basketball League has also been promised, with 50% equal profit sharing between BFI and the States.