2014-15 Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program launched in Punjab

Ludhiana, July 18, 2014 – Reliance Foundation and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the launch of the second year of the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program in Punjab today. After the successful completion of the first year of the program, the program will expand to eight cities in year two:  Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Kottayam, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Yannick Colaco, Managing Director NBA India announced the program in Ludhiana. In Punjab, the program will consist of a train the trainer program, in-school basketball sessions, elite training camps and a city final featuring shooting, 3x3 and 5x5 competitions. Three international coaches will be in Punjab for 3 months to oversee the program, train coaches, work with schools and teach the game to youth.  PE instructors/coaches from all partner schools will receive ongoing training from the international coaches along with turnkey curriculum to teach the game to youth.  Each partner school will receive essential equipment to grow participation – including basketballs, whistles, air pumps, etc. Reliance Foundation and the NBA are targeting to partner with approximately 175 schools across Punjab.

Year 1 of the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program saw tremendous success.  The program engaged over 1,40,000 youth across 225 schools, trained over 250 coaches, and distributed approximately 15,000 basketballs across Mumbai, Kochi and Kottayam.

The Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA initiative is a comprehensive youth basketball program which uses the positive values of the sport to engage and impact the lives of Indian youth.  It focuses on inspiring youth to play and living a healthy, active lifestyle. Basketball is a great form of exercise that teaches youth valuable life lessons such as teamwork, sacrifice, discipline, dedication and sportsmanship.

Among others, Teja Singh Dhaliwal, General secretary, Punjab Basketball Association and senior vice president, Basketball Federation of India and Yurinder Singh Hayer (DIG, Ludhiana Range), senior vice president, Punjab Basketball Association were present.