Saturday, November 21, 2009

India basketball soft power diplomacy JDBASKETBALL


Soft Power Diplomacy

I just finished another amazing India tour!

From TEDIndia conference to hooping it up around the subcontinent!

This JDBASKETBALL happening is part of US Department of State Sports Programming Initiative with institutional partner George Mason University.

Delhi, Kolkata

The Park Hotel and Delhi YMCA, Rajeev and Ramesh in the 5star class suits looking like hi rollers! — To the infamous Mr. P.M. John, — Sagar, Ayesha the Bengali and Delhi hoop lovers, little Buddah and the Bengal Club, this trip enjoyed rediscoveries and many new friends along the way. They are all in my heart and I take their memories with me on my journey.


The photos of the programs/ trip can be found here: www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india

The only casualty of the trip was a few missed taxis’s, a reserved but unpaid air ticket and a pair of broken glass frames, that happened during one of the drills. Hmm, I wonder how that happened . . . Coach? ? ?

It was also the first time in my (almost 4 years) and 150_+ days of clinics in India, I brought along a couple of friends.

Craig Esherick (Former Head coach at Georgetown University) and Dr. Bob Baker (Head of sports Management at George Mason University came and did great job. Showing them MY India gave me immense pleasure, its always-fun watch how the Indian players and coaches respond!

I even met the famous Indian singer, Usha Uthup – now that is an amazing woman!


Some Indian TV love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE3vHyoa-dg&feature=player_embedded

Newly appointed by President Obama, The US Ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer dropped in unexpectedly and took part in the drills then gave impromptu chat to the kids. His message to the youth was to dream big!

The Ambassador even mentioned (unbeknownst to me) that his three kids had been to one of my camps and loved it! I was surprised and humbled for sure!

A lot more in store for the next month, so stay tuned!

Clearly, I am having a hard time distinguishing where is home these days, as they say in India – I am here, only.

I could write more, but videos can tell a million words out these trip hi-lites:

TED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hybju8kb7EU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0nwBLknAxY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odY2gV1TjyA&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-HM

DELHI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzFt7wx8_g

cleamons, gaurav

KOKATA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpp5PzDcxvA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SFXBvbcbaE

BOM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pA7O8JubjM&feature=youtube_gdat

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