Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
india basketball jdbasketbal interviews rutuja on world peace thru sport. bombay, india : http://ping.fm/S5AB1
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
@jdbasketball interviews the golden voice of india basketball, Vinod Muthukumar @FIBAASIA Championships in Pune, India http://bit.ly/7UTcbd
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
@JDBASKETBALL mentioned in article in Sports Illustrated 'Subcontinental Drift' : The NBA eyes the untapped Indian market by Joe Lemire http://ping.fm/hg2ti
Monday, November 23, 2009
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:
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
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
India basketball update 2009 Fall Tour 14th times a charm
Guess who's back?
14th trip in 3 1/2 years.... I just love this place!
Namaste!
First off thank you for all the emails and calls and best wishes!
Back on the India basketball road again, excited to announce the India fall tour Part 2.
Fresh off speaking at @Y2Y conference at the World Bank,
Some hi-lites:
Photos:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=159901909341&ref=mf
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbqJhEOzOvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFYZAnBdQ6s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hIk60MaaGk
Unfortunately because of logistical issues for the first time in three years, I will miss the Savio cup at Don Bosco - I send best wishes to all the organizers and participants especially MV and Father Crispini!
I am enroute Bangalore now and heading tomorrow to Mysore for the start of TEDIndia. . .
This promises to be a great conference with amazing speakers:
http://conferences.ted.com/TEDIndia/
Of course my trip would not be complete without some basketball!
From the 8th to 11th, I am headed to NewDelhi (Delhi YMCA) for a basketball clinic with s Craig Esherick (Former Head Coach at Georgetown University, and Bob Bake from George Mason University) as part of US Department of State program! Our tour continues November 12- 14th in Kolkata with the West Bengal Basketball Association. We will be training coaches and players on some innovated basketball techniques!
For all my Mumbaikar buddies, I am stationed Bombay only November 15th till end of the month...
If you have any ideas, suggestions about basketball in India, please email me jd@jdbasketball.com
Keep a lookout for new videos. . .hope to see you all!
--
www.jdbasketball.com / www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india
@jdbasketball
Friday, October 30, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Every end is a new beginning, 2009 Fall JDBASKETBALL INDIA Tour
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Another tour, another daily book of stories and incredible india happenings!
There is some divinity behind the mission, which is in the forefront sometimes, my creativity and love of india basketball or something greater?
-------
Although there were many happenings, a few things that will stay in my mind forever from this latest trip:
FIBA Asia championships!
The kindness of SDAT in chennai and tamil nadu -- of which I already blogged
The coolest uniforms in all of Tamil Nadu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_HcXNktyU&feature=player_embedded
The famous cab driver videos: actually the fact that his English is better than my Hindi is something i am working hard to change!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnpYGbyEL1E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vaHtBkWyg0
The warm welcome and speaking engagement with Extentia and the kindness of the folks at Persistence. Especially, Dr. Srikanth and Anaand Deshponde
Looking for land in the jungle for a basketball court in undisclosed locations...
An amazing story, by a passionate indian hoops lover - i did not even know our chat was would end up as a story liek this in Slam Mag:
http://www.slamonline.com/online/other-ballers/international/2009/10/breaking-old-habits/
Ramesh and crew taking me to my first Dusshera- and the sheer mass amount of people.
My three vists to Mr. Jockin in Dharavi Slums.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1233152981346&ref=mf
Tennis lesson with Indian great Jasit Singh at Delhi Gymkhana, one of the most giving people I ever met.
Dinner with Satish Jha from OLPC
The Puja ceramony that I was allowed to tag- a-long too and some of the real indians i was able to interview:
Success of the programs in New Delhi and Mumbai, all the coaches who made the programs great: Barry, Brent, Poonam, Mohit, AB, Prashant, Madhu, Monica, and Tug
The countless drivers, especially Maxwell!
My friends and tailors at Michelle Boutique!
The kindness of Dharmendra and Digvijay at Taj Mansingh, Apoorv and Ajinka - Hotel Royalty and Ilan - Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Prashant
The Taj Hotel, standing in all her glory!
Dinner at the Lodi gardens, coffee at cafe Indigo, Hard Rock Cafe - Pune
The Italian play @humanity center
Most of all:
All the the kids I met who love basketball!
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1233169741765&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1227062709093&ref=mf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnwdFiMImro
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1227072069327&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1225577551965&ref=mf
And of course, all the love shown to me by the children and Salaam Bombay team at 'The Biggest Diwali Party' in Mumbai. i will never forget being part of the volunteers handing out 1500 diwali gifts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZlLOOB8BsE
THANK YOU INDIA for helping to make everyday in your beautiful world extraordinary.
I am back in the US now for about two weeks to speak at Y2Y Conference at the World Bank but returning to the subcontinent, my second home on Nov 2 to attend TEDIndia Conference in Mysore.
Post TED I am doing two more basketball clinics as part of US Department of State Sports Initiative Grant w/ Coach Craig Esherick (Former Georgetown U, Head Coach, US Olympic team Assistant) and Robert Baker (George Mason U)
We will be conducting clinics in two cities:
November 9-11 (New Delhi) w/ New Delhi YMCA
November 12-14 (Calcutta) w/ West Bengal Basketball Association
I am really excited to give back to India basketball part of our mission is in working with the Basketball Federation of India to select 10 coaches to bring to GMU for traingin in the summer of 2010, they will impliment and sustain a distance learning program!
Keep on the look-out for our new website....
Please keep in touch, love to hear from you all!
--
jd@jdbasketball.com
@jdbasketball (twitter)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Chennai, oh my! India basketball, jdbasketball
Chennai, Oh my!Nine days into my trip and just finished a clinic for the State Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. This being my fifth separate trip to Chennai, I am realizing the strong community involvement and commitment in the state for sports. The program was held outside of Nehru Stadium in Chennai where FIBA Asia is playing the women’s championships and the excitement of the tournament certainly tricked down into eighty or so teen aged boys and girls sporting new multi color uniforms. It is a special time here in India as we are between Eid, a Muslim holiday and Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights!
Theres no question, it was hot — pushing 95 or so degrees during the apex, luckily we started at 6:30am both days! We first worked on footwork and 3 on 3 pass/ screen away and eventually evolved to putting in the old Maryland ‘dead ball set’ – flex-type offense. Fortunately many of the coaches in attendance were present in April so this camp allowed for us to build upon my last Chennai clinic. The program went along smoothly until I tried to count to ten in Hindi during a drill (which is my basic extent of Hindi right now) and Coach Delmar said, they don’t understand Hindi or English- only Tamil! Also of note, later that session, I looked back to hear roars of laughter coming from about thirty yards away. Of course, I was the only one who it seemlingly surprised. It was laugh therapy after yoga — only in India!
After the program, I was given a special gold painted bling bling uber huge necklace (if anyone knows the name for this, please email or call me) to display (pictures to come) . The directors SDAT Senior Manager, Stephan David and Mary Rajathy, General Manager were present the entire time. Listening to them speak about the youth and their vision for sport in India was moving. It was also good to see the coaches again (especially Raja from JAIN School) , and I can honestly say they must be putting the time is because the player skill level is certainly rising! Yes, there is hope for the next generation!
The FIBA Asia women’s championships have provided some great games for us spectators. Chennai put in a brand new floor for the event, and it really makes the stadium look world class! China vs. Korea match had an NCAA tournament-type air to it, and most suspect they will meet again in the final on Thursday. Team India has struggled but it hasn’t ruined the mood for of the BFI and other India sports officials who have been present nor for the FIBA technical staff. One of which has been singing Kareoki for the entire arena during breaks. I couldn’t make this stuff up!
I arrived this morning in Delhi for some business development meetings and preparing for camp here at American Embassy School on October 2-4. . .should be a good one! I am staying at the TAJ Hotel Mansingh, which has to be one of the best hotels in all of India – - The pool is alone is worth the stay!
Lastly, good news is that my partners, George Mason University, Craig Esherick (Former Gtown Head Coach and 1988 assistant Olympic coach) and professor and former D2 coahc Robert Baker have been awarded Sports Initiative grant by the US Department of State. This eighteen month program will allow for us to foster cultural exchange through sport by conducting in country clincis for coaches- and selecting ten coaches to visit George Mason and undergoing a summer semester of coaching classes. We are hoping to start our program in November.
to read more about india and worldwide please visit us at:
www.jdbasketball.com
www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india
@jdbasketball (twitter)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
12 most asked questions asked since I have arrived in India
@Pune Municipal Corporation1- You are a basketball coach, in India?
2- Do you play cricket? (what's you're favorite IPL team? )
3- What is your height?
4- To which country do you belong, sir?
5- Do you know my family member so-so Patel, Singh, Gupta living in Florida, Chicago or Arizona, etc?
6- Have you found place to set up academy yet?
7- Who is the best player in India?
8- Are you married?
9- Do you live with your parents?
10- Do you like Indian food? Spicy?
11- Whats your good name, sir?
12- Wait, again. your a basketball coach, in India..... what are you really doing here?
and the journey goes on ....excited to heading next to Chennai for Sport Development Authority of Tamil Nadu for two day's clinic
next to FIBA Asia Women's championship September 21- 22.
follow me @jdbasketball (twitter)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
5 ways India basketball needs to improve to become competitive at the world standard
As I watched the FIBA Asia championships, I began to think how India could improve.
Here are my top 5:
1) Build better infrastructure.
Hi level international basketball is an indoor game played on wooden floors. Considering that half the year is too hot or monsoon season- proper training facilities are critical for game development. Most universities have courts or ‘rings’ as they call it — but at the same time, I see dirt playing surfaces and folks playing cricket on them. In addition, I have had many conversations with players who have knee injuries as a result of playing on poor surfaces. Basketball Federation of India and the state Associations have done a good job organinizing the events, but even the National Jr. championships was held outdoors. I am hoping the 2010 Commonwealth Games will bring more contemporary grounds.
2) More corporate and Government financing
As one of the state basketball general secretarys put it, ’Basketball in India is a hobby, not a business – or a career for that matter’. It is a very simple formula, when large multinationals elect to invest in grassroots marketing efforts the game will have more exposure and it will improve. I know of at least 5 top event organizers who can not get real cash sponsorship for tournmants, 3 on 3’s etc. I think eventually it will come, but not now its tough. And, it shouldn’t be just the western companies ala Nike, Adidas and McDonald’s - India needs TATA/ TAJ, Reliance, ICICI bank!
3) Incentive
A professional league and universtiy scholarship would go a long way in game development. Most 16 year olds and thier parents (which the kids actually respect and still listen to) are concerned about college entrance exams- and rightfully so , with a competitive population and millions upon missions of smart/ hardworking students there is a ton or competition. Other than playing for the State, Indian Railways, Satte bank (or if you’re really good represent the country on the National team ), you can go to school and become a coach- but it is not a high paying job or a career in anyway. Every year I see a press release to start a pro league but to date nothing has happened. The NBA has been talking about starting a real professional league– clearly, this would help alot for interest and exposure. Perhaps, the European model of a club system would also make sense connecting community, development, and club. Again, the question is, assuming BFI can organize -- who will pay?
4) More International hi-level training for youth 12 and under
I can see differences in just a weeks time in the programs I have run in places like Tamil Nadu, Punnjab Bangalore and Mumbai. I can also see the need for more and more advanced training sessions. The issue again is, who will pay for it? I have seen some good Indian coaches, who, for sure have been to UK or US and studied basketball. They watch the videos online, and can run the drills- but I feel many of the times, they do not know the purpose of the drill, or how it fits into an offensive or defensive scheme. The coaches are smart, excited and willing to learn- but they need more support and exposure!
India needs to start training the youth players- ages 12 under. Sorry to say, but the rest of Asia (and the world) are too advanced at the Jr’s level for the current hooper to compete at top levels internationally. I can also see focusing on the women’s game, as they seem to be a bit more advanced at this stage and can bring positive enthusiasm.
India basketball is played, coached, and managed by real enthousiats who are involved for a true ‘love of the game’ which is a gem and purity. As the game evolves, I hope that never changes.
5) Be patient!
India is not China! Just because it is a BRIC doesn’t mean it acts like its teamates. I have traveled to each of these emerging market countrys and business and culture as is basketball are very different in each. Basketball has a ways to go — not to harp, but we just lost China 121- 49, India needs to start with the youth under 12 and begin to develop skills and watch them grow. India does have a rich basketball history, a good basketball governing body, and despite what people think — tall people who play the game.
ABOUT:
I am an American basketball coach. For the past decade, I have been using my program, jdbasketball (www.jdbasketball.com) to bring people together and promote world peace thru sport. In 2001, I co-founded a company to operate grassroots basketball events throughout China. I first visited India three years ago – and fell in love with the people, the culture , and of course — the food. In that time, I have conducted almost 100 clinics in 12 cities throughout the subcontinent and have gotten to know many of the people in the game and a lot of the ins & outs.
@jdbasketball (twitter/ tumblr)
please visit us at www.jdbasketball.com www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india
Saturday, July 4, 2009
India basketball interview on acommonfan blog
some thoughts on india basketball:
http://www.acommonfan.com/2009/07/04/commonfan-interview-talking-indian-basketball-with-jd-walsh/
Monday, June 29, 2009
India Basketball in New Dehli JDBASKETBALL
JD Walsh basketball, teaching shooting in New Delhi, 2009
India Basketball in Kashmir w/ CHINAR JDBASKETBALL
India Basketball in Kashmir JDBASKETBALL
I am adding some older blog posts that should have gone up a long time ago. . .
For World Peace KASHMIR, CHINAR
Hoops for Health. JDBASKETBALL Dialogue for mankind
Months of anticipation enhanced already infectious enthusiasm as we initiated ‘Hoops for Health’.
Our effort marks the inception of a three-year program designed to aid the pscho-rehabilitaition of war-torn orphaned youth. We begin our program at Chinar (www.chinar.org), an orphanage in Srinigar, Kashmir, India.
As I came off the plane I was struck by the breathtaking Kashmir landscape and Himalayan Mountain backdrop coupled with uniformed and armed military presence in the forefront. Our mission, which until that point had been only an idea, became very real to me.
Walking thru the orphanage to meet the children for the first time, I saw the shoes (20 pairs stacked neatly), the bunk beds, the little reading desks, and real family photos on the wall, relics of a complex past. I noticed the live-in housemothers dressed in their colorful parda caring for the children with great concern and devotion. The CHINAR kids are a special group with one touching story after another, such as the seven year-old girl whose entire family died in an earthquake after which she survived for three days, alone in the snow; the two brothers whose blind grandmother could no longer care for them, and on and on. The t-shirts and basketballs we gifted were greatly appreciated by the kids and a nice token, yet I know they deserve and need much more.
Our training ground at the Burn Hall School was located, coincidentally, just a stones throw away from United Nations India / Pakistan War relief building.
Surveying the court, we realized the basket was too high for the children to reach and that we needed a lower goal. Immediately, the ever helpful Athletic Director at Burn Hill said they would build one. Knowing that we had less than 24 hours before starting, I bet my assistant coach (and former Indian National Team Captain) Jai that it would never get done.
I had to pay up! Upon arrival the following afternoon, we were happy to see that a goal was welded on the back of the basketball pole about 6 feet high. It was perfect for the six 9 year-old Chinar kids!
We started the clinic by pointing out the various lines of the court and teaching the kids how to dribble and shoot. Excitedly they giggled, they ran, they listened, they attempted to dribble in a straight line, they tried to shoot on the ‘too high to reach’ goal, they tried to kick the ball, and to run for snacks. They began to learn fundamental basketball!
Although music was discontinued out of respect for the afternoon prayer session at the neighboring mosque, we kept dribbling, laughing, playing, and learning.
“We love jdbasketball!” in broken Kashmiry English was the kids present to the coaches before the start of the second session. It was a touching moment, one I know I would never experience in an office in downtown Manhattan somewhere.
We noticed that they were holding their heads up, smiling more, and showing more self-confidence.
Day 2 was actually a major improvement as the kids became little more calm and focused. We were joined by some older youth from an onsite NGO. The listening improved and dribbling was better. We even began to play some competitive games.
The long journey came to an end with a spectacular trophy ceremony. It suddenly became apparent to me that on the other side of the planet David Stern was welcoming Greg Oden to the podium for the first pick in the NBA draft. For a second I began to wonder what exactly I was doing in this picture. But, by the looks on the CHINAR kids faces, in that moment—I could see they all felt like lottery picks, and that, at least for today, we had brought them that feeling.
Mission accomplished, but it’s just a start!
We are now looking to raise money to hire a part-time coach to work with the kids. Ultimately we would like to see a CHINAR basketball team to play in neighborhood games. We estimate it will cost $300 (USd) per month… if anyone is interested to donate—please email Fozia directly and mention that it’s for “CHINAR Basketball Coach Fund” at foziaqazi@gmail.com
Special thanks to : CHINAR Board Members, Shireen Qadri, Ifran Shahmiri and Fozia Qazi
house mothers Silshada, Shahzada, Igbal, Mustifa
Sayoni from Scholastic Books (Delhi) who have offered to build a library for the house!
Richard Epstein, of New York, NY for his generous donation of basketball books and videos.
Speacial thanks to the Burn Hall school and staff and coach, Jai Menon
And the CHINAR KIDS! Please remember in thoughts and prayers.
Javid,Mohmad,Growhar,Tahir,Arif,Nazir,Fahir,Sajad, Muneeb,Imtiyaz,Nayeem,Mudasir,Saleem,Zubida,Norjhan,
Rubeena, Ishrat,Bisma,Jabeen,Nusrat
Friday, June 26, 2009
india basketball in pune by: jdbasketball
Namaste everyone from Pune India!
I am about 3hrs away from Mumbai (formerly known Bombay) and again, it never ceases to amaze me that people everywhere are basketball crazy!
My first day basically consisted of; adjusting to the heat, learning about the famous ‘Indian head shake’, “1000, how are you sirs?” , photographing the walkers in beautiful sarees, ‘Brad and Angelina were here gossip’ (Is there anywhere you can go in the world without that?), and avoiding small cabs driving on the wrong side of the road.
At first glance, workers were still painting the court lines at Fergusson College and in a few areas small gapping holes were present. I was told camp would be starting at 7 am to avoid the heat; rainy season is approaching, I was worried about a possible rainout.
Everyone was very nice but I began thinking this is a long way from Cole Field House as we cracked a coconut to bless the court – I was what wondering what was I getting myself into.
Then it happened, the DJ began to play incredible Hindi tracks; I formed ball handling line drills and this small outdoor playground (no different than something you might see at West 4th or Holcombe Rucker Park) transformed into a magical place.Starting with 80 players and coaches and finishing with around 200 total, basketball spirit is alive in Pune! I came to find out that many of the participants traveled by bus or train up to 20 hours (Many with no AC ) —I was determined to give my all.
Sixteen year old Sidd from Calcutta mentioned,“ I traveled over 2 days to arrive here, the trip was very boring—but the basketballs been great making it all worth it!
I was told this was the first basketball camp in India- ever!
The enthusiasm and desire is unwavering as day after day I proceeded to put the players; and, and even some coaches, to the strenuous regimen. Daily, I began to notice slight improvements; one player started dribbling better, another shoot with more precise form, one coach taking more initiative.
Eventually, we started to dance.
The coaches, determined to learn basketball and a transition offense. It took about 3 hours from chalkboard to courtside. Slow at first, but eventually the Deccan Club team and event organizers of Apoorv Sontakke, Omkar Kadam, Amit Ambedkar, Ajinkya Mehta, and Ganesh Bagade began to pick it up.
As the days went on, I became more intrigued with India and I think India with me. We received write -ups in all major Indian papers.
It did not take long to spot the anxious nature of the Indian press and fans. During our first day press conference, the first question presented was, “How long do you think it will take India to be able to compete with Team USA?” Extremely ambitious considering I was told that only 7-8 indoor courts exist in India and the average height is at least 5 inches smaller.
Although my answer was, “Not anytime soon”, I think America should watch out- I can clearly remember answering these same questions in 2002 during my first trips to China -- a country that possesses demographics, ambition, and potential talent pool. As you may know, China’s rise in the basketball world in the past decade has been remarkable–already placing 3 players in the NBA, and preparing for a hi first round selection this year.
I sat very humbled as I was given the highest VIP honor and public thank you and assembly acknowledgement by the Mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale, the Deputy Mayor, Professor Vikas Mathkari Leader of Opposition of Pune Municipal Corporation, Vivek Mehta of the Maharashtra State Basketball Association, and other esteemed guests at the municipal official courtroom.
Afterwards I was asked to sit beside the Leader of Opposition as he conducted daily city business-- this is considered highest honor. I was blown away.
The interesting thing to me is that although the culture is different and many more speaking “ Maharati“ a Hindi dialect – the language remains the same.
A special thank you to city of Pune for showing so much love!
Next stop : KASMIR
I am excited to travel next week to travel to CHINAR (an orphanage in Sriniger, Kashmir).
Here we are working on a three-year program to recruit, hire and train a full time coach. Build a court and hopefully, create a team that can play games in Indian and Pakistan.
The objective is to aid in the psychosocial rehabilitation and reeducation process of the CHINAR youth who have extended an invitation for me to work with orphaned youth misaligned through conflict.
It is an immense challenge, as many of these youth have never played basketball before! And many do not speak English either, so please wish us luck. If anyone would like to contribute to the CHINAR orphanage pleas check out www.chinar.org.
It takes only $65 a month to house and educate a youth.
See you all again real soon!
JD
JDBASKETBALL.com Dialogue for mankind
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
India Basketball JDBASKETBALL the beginning 2006-2009
Well, I might as well start in the beginning. After traveling to and fro china for many years bouncing the orange ball and trying to master a language with no letters and contracts are negotiable, i decided to have a go at another bric - INDIA. . . a place where cricket is king and queen and kingdom of sports, religion and politics are abundant, and Bollywood is everything else.
In the fall of 2006, two major events happened that changed course of India basketball history and my life. At the time, I had been looking to expand my global roving basketball school into India and was approached by the board of Chinar.org, an orphanage in Srinagar, Kashmir to arrange a program. They invited me to visit and develop a three social program to aid in the psycho-rehabilitation of the at-risk orphan youth. Many of these kids had lost parents to the earthquake and conflict. It was from this place that ‘Hoops for Health’ was born. As divinity would have it, simultaneously, a young man wrote me an email note expressing his dream to become the first Indian basketball player in the NBA and asking if I would be willing to come visit his hometown (Pune) to show him, and his club (Deccan Gymkhana) a thing or two. Always up for a hoops adventure, and knowing it was on the way to Kashmir (sort of) -- I agreed.
Little did I know until stepping off the hot and humid tarmac in Mumbai that early May, 2007 morning that 200 participants from around the country would be waiting for the training that was sponsored and promised by the Mahrastra State Basketball Association. In a half daze, I was garlanded as I cracked coconuts to bless the court and start what's been written in local papers as 'a new age' in India basketball. Despite the courts still being painted upon arrival, the training sessions went very well. I was told that this was the 1st American basketball camp to ever come to India. Maybe its true, maybe urban Indian legend; regardless, it became the first of many. . .
Somewhere during the course of the past three years -- between the masala dosa's, the heat, the colors, the questions: the "um, dude WHAT are you doing here again? Basketball, why in India? cricket yes, basketball, no”, and my favorite - - the hourly "um may I ask, sir -how tall are you, sir’s?’ the humanity (and sometimes lack of), the hospital visits, the power on/off , off/ on and the chapati, I fell in love --with INDIA. Like Om Shanti I believe it was fate that decided to make my life's mission to grow the game here.
As word spread quickly of myindiahoopslove disease and ability to work in region, I kept getting invites and coming back and staying longer and longer. 13 trips and twenty-five months later, JDBASKETBALL (which is now, me + my new Indian homeboys/ coaches = team JDBASKETBALL) has operated throughout ten cities and villages throughout the subcontinent. Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Kerala, Bangalore, Midnapore, Patiala, Delhi, and Srinagar.
To date over 5,000 youth directly benefited from my program and I have been keeping a keep eye out on keen talent and we are soon to announce our home base and training center, but more on all that later . . .
In India, I have run basketball camps in 110-degree heat in Midnapore and during monsoons in Mumbai. I've seen the top talent in India -- and taught future national team coaches at prestigious Sports Authority of India's NSNIS the finer points of the game. I have been to South India, and used the game as a means to teach English to young Muslim women with no shoes and in full dupatta. I have found myself teaching dribbling and shooting techniques at all types of schools, YMCA's, street corners, cricket fields, indoor facilities, outdoor playgrounds and even one place that had hosted a dunking elephant! Basically, when it comes to India basketball, I think I have seen it all.
I have enjoyed learning about life while training and watching all types of players crossing hundreds of cross sections of religions/dialects/ food choices /colors and holidays (most of which I am still unsure what they were, but I sure had a lot of fun celebrating). Experiencing what is meant by 'Guest is God in India', I am now thankfully, the 'big gora who's back again' and treated more and more like a local.
Studying her rich history from the Moghuls, the English and the railways, to Gandhi to partition, to now --- modern day India. I am completely enthralled with such an amazing civilization, and how it has evolved- where it’s going - and what role, if any will basketball plays in shaping the next generation.
My time promoting world peace and diplomacy through sport with the US Consulates in North, South, West, and East Indian regions has been some of the most gratifying days I have ever spent. It has carried even deeper meaning as I rode past the military occupation in Kashmir and from being in the TAJ lobby just about a day a half before the attacks.
I have stayed at amazing hotels, and some not so amazing hostels. I have seen incredible gardens and exquisite temples and monuments, I had only dreamed and read about. I have survived the looks received after telling the Chennai women's TNBA basketball team that gallons of chai and fistful of biscuits during game time-outs was not good advisable, and tasted the sweetest of lassie and goats milk. I enjoyed 6 days in a Delhi hospital where I lost 20 pounds (and almost an appendix unnecessarily) and I've hit my head requiring 7 stitches while scouting out potential courts with Mr. Jockin (a Ramon Award Winner- like Nobel Prize) where six million people live (basically, where they filmed slumdog) in the Dhvari slums in Bombay.
I have been around like a million people and could not breathe or move, and I have been myself and seen no one but empty fields and rice paddys. I've been robbed in my sleep, and given heartfelt gifts from strangers that you cannot imagine. I have gotten my yoga on, climbed the Himalayas on a little horse and gone weeks without finding a treadmill or place to run in site. I've seen the hi tech parks, farm houses, heli pads and Mercedes of the super rich, and sadly, the impoverished living on the streets begging for food.
I've said out loud, I hate India, I love India over 20 times a day on multiple occasions and I've argued with cab drivers and Ricks pretty much everyday. I’ve been to wedding after weddings during wedding season, and been present when kin to new family 'expired'. Only in India could I have run past monkeys to a conduct a basketball clinic.
I’ve seen big people, short people, skinny people, fat people, smiling people, dark people, lite people, old people, young people, cricket playing people, field hockey and football playing people, people dressed in Indian clothes, people dressed in western clothes-- and everyone in between. In country, I've meet people from all over the world, and even bumped into a guy playing basketball from the town I used to run my camps in Long Island. I've heard Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Hinglish, Bengalish, Tamilish, Marati, Marati-ish, English and a whole lot more.
I’ve got video and pictures on pictures on pictures.
Over the past three years some of the hi-lites include; winning an ASHOKA NIKE Changemaker grant for three-year ongoing project in Kashmir, a special award of distinction from Pune Municipal Corporation (Mayor’s office), by party Mayor and (now former) ‘Leader of the Opposition', Vikas Mathkari, and a long term tie-up and tri-yearly trip to Jain International School of Sporting Excellence in Bangalore. In 2008, I was on hand as a special guest in Chennai with US Consulate General Mr. David Hopper to garland a statue of Mr. Harry Buck at oldest YMCA in India, and humbled by some really kind words given by Mr. Michael Owen -- the head of India for Department of State at our program in slums of Nagpada. I received the famous 'shake and pound up all the players before the game starts' at the Fr. Crispini special, at Don Bosco - at the Savio Cup 3 years straight and been fortunate enough to learn about the past and future of India basketball thru conversations with top brass, the head of basketball in India, Mr. Harish Shirma. I feel lucky to have coached some really cool multi-cultural youth at the famous Delhi Public Schools, ASB, Sanskriti, and AES. Throughout this quest, I have received gifts such as flowers, Titan watches, samosas, a painting of Jesus, more flowers, institutional statues, and a holographic trophy for doing a coaches clinic at the National Championships, but most importantly lasting friendships and a life education I could never find in a classroom.
To date, I have conducted clinics for eight State Basketball Associations while conducting tons coaches clinics in Kolkata's West Bengal Basketball, Pune's Fergusson College (Pune), Tamil Nadu Basketball Association and for the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, and enjoyed in-depth talks on defense in Bangalore's stadium with the Indian National Team Head Coach, Alexsander Bucan and Olympic official Mr. Govinraj. Some of these clinics have been used for coaches’ certification purposes for State Associations.
This past May, (2009), I ran programs in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Punjab; my last clinic in being held in Mumbai for Basketball Federation of India's National Jr. Championships (Nagpada, Mumbai) for over 700 in attendance.
Now the NBA is promoting the game in India!
Time magazine says that India is 40 years behind China, in basketball and every way else -- and in a lot of ways, from spending a lot of time in both -- maybe there right. Regardless, while people tell me everyday that basketball can't grow in India, it’s a challenge, I love to take on. And everyday I can't wait go back at it again. . .
Stay tuned, this will be the first of many a blog I will be writing on India basketball.
india basketball by: jdbasketball 'dialogue for mankind'
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