Inter School Basketball: Sardar Bhagwant Singh Memorial Basketball Trophy-2024 to be held on November 6-13 

Chandigarh, October 28, 2024: This year’s Sardar Bhagwant Singh Memorial Basketball Trophy, a landmark event as it celebrates the 10th season of the tournament, will be held on November 6 to 13 at Indoor Basketball Court, GMADA, Sports complex, Sector 78, Mohali. Players from top schools of tricity will compete among themselves to lift the prestigious trophy.   

A significant milestone in the sporting calendar of the tricity region, this tournament over the decade has built a reputation for nurturing young basketball talents, fostering school spirit, and promoting healthy competition among the best schools in the area.

Sharing details with media persons here today at Chandigarh Press Club, Vikramjeet Singh Mamik, Administrator, Vivek High School, said: “The tournament will provide a platform for young athletes to shine across three age groups: U-12 Boys and Girls; U-14 Boys and Girls, and U-17 Boys and Girls, thus ensuring that students of different age groups get a chance to compete in their respective divisions, with equal opportunities for both boys and girls.”

The tournament will be held from November 6 to November 13, 2024 at Indoor Basketball Court, GMADA, Sports complex, Sector 78, Mohali. As many as 50 schools have been invited to compete.  Matches will run throughout the day, showcasing sporting talent from multiple schools across the region. Each day, spectators can expect 12 to 14 matches, featuring fast-paced and intense basketball action.

Mamik further informed: “To commemorate a decade of success, we have introduced cash prizes for the top three teams in each category for the very first time. A total prize pool of Rs 2,70,000 will be awarded, making it one of the most rewarding school-level sports events in the region. This enhancement is aimed at recognizing the hard work and dedication of the students and coaches who contribute to the competitive spirit of the game.”

Dr. Amar Jyoti Chawla, Principal, Vivek High School, Mohali, averred that the milestone celebration will also acknowledge the role of this tournament in elevating basketball’s profile among schools and encouraging more young athletes to pursue the sport at both recreational and competitive levels.

Notable basketball players who have played in the tournament and achieved great heights in their careers include Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon, who played in the Asian Cup recently. Apart from Sekhon, in men's, two more players have shined - Jashan Bahra and Ansh Rawat both became national players. What's more, in the women's category, Tarushi Bahl and Anamika Sachdeva also  became national players. Many more such players have used the tournament’s exposure to grow their basketball careers.

Dr. Chawla added, “Reputed schools from the tricity region will participate in the tournament, continuing the tradition of involving the best talent from schools in Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula.”

Jayata Chopra, Cultural Coordinator, Vivek High School, Mohali, said: “This year’s tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators, with healthy competition, exciting prizes, and a celebration of a decade of basketball excellence in the region.”

Talking about the tournament format, Vishal Sharma, Head, Sports Department, Vivek High School, Mohali, said the tournament will follow an elimination or knock-out format. This system ensures that every game carries high stakes, with each team having only one chance to advance to the next round. Teams must perform at their optimum level to survive and make it to the final stages of the tournament, making every match a thrilling contest, he said.

Sharma said that the most anticipated part of the tournament—the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals—will take place during the final three days of the tournament. These decisive matches will determine the champions and bring the tournament to a thrilling conclusion, he said.

As many as 24 schools have already registered and for those who want to participate, registration is on. The interested schools can contact Vivek High School, Mohali for the same.

List of participating teams till date (Registration is still going on)
St. Peters Senior Secondary School, Sector 37 B, Chandigarh;St. Anee's Convent School, Sector 32 C, Chandigarh; Saupin's School, Sector 32 A, Chandigarh; Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, Chandigarh; St. Joseph's Sr. Sec. School, Sector 44 D, Chandigarh; Delhi Public School, Sector 40 C, Chandigarh; St. Soldiers School, Sector 16, Panchkula; Shishu Niketan Public School, Sector 43, Chandigarh; K V High Grounds, Chandigarh; Police Public School, Jagatpura, Mohali;Learning Paths School, Sector 67, Mohali; Manav Mangal Smart School, Phase 10, Mohali; Smart Wonders School, Sector 71, Mohali; Shemrock School, Sector 69, Mohali; Yadavindra Public School, Sector 51, Mohali; Shivalik Public School, Phase 6, Mohali; Shishu Niketan Public School, Sector 66, Mohali; Amity International School, Sector 79, Mohali; Manav Rachna International School, Sector 82 A, Mohali; Saupin's School, Sector 70, Mohali; Mind Tree School, Kharar; Delhi Public School, Mohali; Vivek High School, Sector 38, Chandigarh and Vivek High School, Mohali.