The Tamil Nadu Basketball Association (affiliated to Basketball Federation of India, TNOA and SADT) is organizing the 68^th National Basketball Championship for men and women from 17^th to 24^th Jan 2018 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium and Petite Seminaries basketball courts under flood lights. 

Players from all over the country will match wits and battle it out for honours in this championship. 

Teams from all over the country including Indian railways and services comprising 900 players, 200 officials, 150 technical officials, 150 technical officials and 200 coaching staff will be participating in this championship, which will be witnessed by over 8000 spectators.

About 64 teams (tentatively) comprising of both men and women state teams will be participating in this championship, which is the highest platform to exhibit their talents. We are taking all efforts to provide the best playing conditions for the participants apart from providing air conditioned playing courts, transportation, food on par with international standards, Medals/Certificates and prize money for the top three in each category will be awarded.

PARTICIPATING STATES AND TEAMS (MEN AND WOMEN)

ABOUT TNBA

Tamilnadu Basketball Association or TNBA is the governing and controlling body of basketball in Tamilnadu, and is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels in the state. TNBA is affiliated to BFI (Basketball Federation of India), TNOA (Tamilnadu Olympic Association) and is recognised by SDAT (Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu).  TNBA's major initiatives include developing and organizing the State Teams (Senior, U18, U16, and U14), conducting State Championships and overseeing District leagues as platforms for scouting and talent identification, and development of Referees and coaches by awarding certifications and organising clinics

ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

Shri. V.V.R. RAJ SATYEN
President – TamilNadu Basketball Association

Shri. AADHAV ARJUNA
 General Secretary – TamilNadu Basketball Association

Shri. SENDHIL THYAGARAJAN
Senior Vice President – TamilNadu Basketball Association

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Aadhav Arjuna said, " I'm indeed honoured to announce our plans to launch several basketball coaching academies of international standards around the country. Pro Basketball will now be a reality with the accessibility of specialized training. We will be instituting the Tamilnadu Basketball Hall of Fame”

Mr. Sendhil Thyagarajan announced, “We are very excited with the tie up with Serbia Basketball and gaining from their strategies and systems to ameliorate Indian basketball. Serbia is country of only 8 million and along with former Yugoslavia nations they have 6 world championships. And most recently 2002 FIBA World championship in Indiana, USA pushing the NBA stars based US team to Bronze medal. They finished 2nd to USA in 2016 in the Rio Games. "

Also addressing the press conference were Ms Aashritha Devi Talluri – Women’s Progress Wing (NBC), Mr Milan Opacic, Head Coach for Men and Women and Aleksandar Virijevic, Asst coach for Men and Women

Present at the press conference were Mr. T. Vijayragavan , key man for the Indian Team that finished Fourth in Asian championship in 1975, Mr. Amarnath, part of Indian Basketball team that made it to the 1980 Olympics and two contributors Mr. " Jumpball" Padamnabhan and Mr. L. Ramakrishnan. 

BASKETBALL IN INDIA

The game made its foray into the sub-continent during the early 20^th century with YMCA at Kolkata and Chennai being the hub of activity. With the formation of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) in 1950, the first National championship was held at Ludhiana, Punjab. However, the game spread to be the remote corners of the country and National Championship for various age groups (sub-junior, Youth, junior and senior) for men and women was started. The Indian teams in spite of lack of infrastructure and other advanced and scientific methods of coaching have been doing considerably well with the 4^th place at the Asian championships, Bangkok in 1975 being the icing of their performance. During the last decade, the Indian women team has performed consistently and has been placed among the top 6 in Asia with Arjuna Awardee Geethu Anna Jose being drafted for the Dallas Mavericks of NBA and this has really brought about a world of change in the country. The National Women team won the ‘B; division FIBA women ASIA cup recently while the National team (youth girls) won the 4^th FIBA Asia under 16 Championship title. With the NBA games being beamed on television, the interest for the game has grown leaps and bounds this augurs well for Basketball in the country.

 Tamilnadu Men's Basketball Team

Tamilnadu Woman's Basketball Team