Vijayawada Hosts National Sub-Junior Basketball Championship After 22 Years
The 51st Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship opened in Vijayawada with 54 boys’ and girls’ teams from across India. More than 640 players will compete in an eight-day league-cum-knockout tournament, which the Basketball Federation of India says is part of its effort to develop grassroots talent.
The 51st Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship opened in Vijayawada on Monday, bringing 54 teams and more than 640 young players to the city. The eight-day tournament, running from September 28 to October 4, is being held for boys and girls. It is jointly organised by the Basketball Association in Andhra Pradesh, the Basketball Federation of India and the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh.
Aadhav Arjuna, Tamil Nadu’s Sports Minister and president of the Basketball Federation of India, said the federation was committed to nurturing grassroots talent and identifying players who could represent India internationally. The competition includes 28 boys’ teams and 26 girls’ teams. Matches are being played in a league-cum-knockout format at venues including the Maris Stella College Indoor Stadium and the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Indoor Stadium.
Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath said it was significant that Andhra Pradesh was hosting the championship after a 22-year gap. He said national-level competitions could strengthen the city’s profile as a sports centre. The opening ceremony was attended by Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh chairman A.
Ravi Naidu and several legislators, including Gadde Rammohan, Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Yalamanchili Satyanarayana and Bode Prasad.
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