India - FIBA top brass sees India among top 10 in Asia
India may remain a laggard in basketball but given the abundance of talent and provided there is enough quality coaches around, the country can well make it among the top 10 Asian nations, according to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). "Strong and quality coaching facilities are very important. The country has millions of young players but at the same time, lot of good coaches are required to train those talents," Bob Elphinstone, President of the governing body, said.
From hindu.com
Download source here
India may remain a laggard in basketball but given the abundance of talent and provided there is enough quality coaches around, the country can well make it among the top 10 Asian nations, according to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
"Strong and quality coaching facilities are very important. The country has millions of young players but at the same time, lot of good coaches are required to train those talents," Bob Elphinstone, President of the governing body, said.
"If we can tap the talents of youths, there is no reason why India can't rank among the top 10 in Asia," he said.
Elphinstone, along with FIBA Secretary General Patrick Bauman, is presently in India as part of a fact-finding mission on behalf of the FIBA.
He also emphasised on arrangement of rigorous training programmes for the players to improve their standard and said, "We have to give the young performers six to eight months of high level practice with good infrastructure to upgrade their skills."
Elphinstone feels the country needs more indoor stadiums, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to give the youngsters the opportunity to practice in quality environment.
"We need more indoor stadiums where standard facilities are available to the basketball players, and this is very important for the growth of the game in India," Elphinstone said.