Bhavnagar Basketball: India's best district league all set for 5th Season
The latest edition of the ISCON Bhavnagar Basketball League, organized by Youngsters Basketball Club, will be held every weekend in July at the Sidsar Sports Complex
Bhavnagar, Gujarat: The indoor basketball court of Bhavnagar’s Sidsar Sports Complex will soon roar back to life as the city will officially tip off the 5th season of the Bhavnagar Basketball League (BBL), a tournament that has become a breeding ground for Gujarat's rising basketball talent.
Organized by the Youngsters Basketball Club, the launch event was held on June 29, with the reveal of the official jerseys. This season, games are scheduled to be held every Saturday and Sunday throughout July 2025.
Four Age Categories
Over the last four seasons, the BBL has emerged as a model district‑level league in India, setting itself as a blueprint for other districts aiming to cultivate grassroots Basketball talent. Like the state-level Mizoram Super League, the BBL showcases disciplined structure, community backing, and talent identification.
The league - held in the 3x3 format - spans four age categories: Under 14, Under 16, Under 18, and Seniors. It features both Men’s and Women’s divisions, ensuring equal opportunities across the board. The structure aims to fuel grassroots growth and also ensures talent is nurtured at every stage.
Eight Teams
The eight teams for Season 5 are MG TMX, Carysil, Tea Post, Om Constructions, Gautam, Nilambaug Players, Rajarshi Royals and Gallops.
MG TMX will return this season as the defending champions in the Senior Men’s category.
This season, team captains will receive a pre-decided payment amount. The player remuneration is structured into three categories: Category A players will receive ₹60,000, while 12 players in Category B and 12 girls will each be paid ₹12,000.
BBL’s impact on Gujarat & Indian Basketball
The BBL has already made its mark on the national stage. A total of 45 players from Bhavnagar have competed in national-level tournaments, and several have earned international recognition:
Mirant Italia represented India in pre-Olympic qualifiers.
Kuldeep Tamalia has played at the junior and All India University levels.
Krishnapal Sinh Gohil represented India at the All India University levels.
Krishnapal’s recent selection to represent India at the World University Games in Germany stands out as a historic milestone for the BBL. It marks India’s return to the Games after 45 years and cements Bhavnagar’s role in developing elite-level talent. Others like Jindgarat Singh Gohil and Yogesh Mer have all attended Indian national camps.
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