Game changing basketball camp set to be launched in Chennai by ex-India captain CV Sunny

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Camp named “Summer of Skills” to start from 15th April at Santhome Higher Secondary School, Chennai and will run for 5-6 weeks
Camp co-ordinator and head coach is Mr CV Sunny, ex-India national men’s team captain
What separates the CV Sunny Basketball Academy from other existing Academies is its internationally recognised coaching programme and its pan-India aspirations.

Chennai, 1st April 2015: Most sports (not named cricket) have struggled for recognition in India. One of the prime reasons is the lack of noteworthy performances by Indian teams in international tournaments. Similar is the case with basketball, where Indian men and women teams find themselves routinely outclassed by quality opponents from the strong Asian sides of China, Iran, Philippines and South Korea.

For any sport to go to the next level, its past practitioners must introspect into their own failures, learn from them and teach the next generation the modern approaches to the game. A celebrated ex-India point guard from the 80s and 90s, is doing just that by launching the CV Sunny’s Basketball Academy in Chennai to address player development at all levels.

The first programme from the Academy is the Summer of Skills camp from 15th April that will run for 5-6 weeks at the Santhome Higher Secondary School’s Sports Club, which is one of the finest facilities in Chennai with two outdoor and one indoor court. The Camp, for both boys and girls, will be divided into three categories: Mini (under-13), Junior (under-16) and Senior (under-19). In addition to Head Coach Mr CV Sunny, the program has been designed and will be conducted by FIBA and BFI certified coaches. Former Indian Women’s team captain Meena Latha will be one of the coaches available during the program.

The Camp will follow the scientifically approved principles of Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) that is used in other Western countries, to revolutionise grassroots basketball coaching in India. LTAD emphasises progressive coaching as per each individual’s ‘baseline measurement’ ensuring development of each player at his/her own pace. Apart from individual skill development, team goals will also be set for the groups as a whole.

Speaking about the larger goals of the Academy, Mr Sunny says, “Our vision is the overall promotion and development of basketball in India and to make it is a mainstream sport. For India to be a top team in the world, we need to build systems at the grassroots level. This can be only achieved by collaborating with state associations, media, corporates and fans. We hope our initiative will provide the right impetus in this direction.”

CV Sunny’s Basketball Academy, launched late last year, has ambitious plans in store. “We want to bring in professionalism in Indian basketball coaching through the introduction of internationally recognised programmes. Unlike standalone academies in the past, our approach will be collaborative and we will seek the assistance of the best coaches in India such as Mr Scott Flemming (Current Indian national men’s head coach) and Ms Shiba Maggon (ex-India women’s captain and international coach) and others from abroad.” says Mr Shaji Raju, one of the main organisors. “We also plan to open our Academy’s branches in other locations across India, and introduce parallel training programmes for coaches and officials. In order to achieve these goals, we wish to tie up with the NBA, FIBA and other organisations working towards promoting the sport in our country.”

About Mr CV Sunny

CV Sunny is considered to be among the greatest basketball players to don the Indian national jersey. Growing up with limited resources in a small, sleepy town called Pala in Kerala, Cheruthottil Varghese Sunny, popularly known as CV Sunny went on to win recognition for his state and country through sheer determination, hardwork and passion for the game. In a professional career spanning decades, CV Sunny played for Kerala Police, Kerala State, Tamil Nadu State, Indian Bank and was a regular member of the Indian National Team in the 1980s and 90s. He was known for his skillful and intelligent playmaking and has received many accolades at the National and International levels.

After having retired from active playing, CV Sunny takes an avid interest in moulding young talent and is involved in coaching various basketball teams at the National and University levels. Most recently, he coached the Tamil Nadu senior men’s basketball team that won the silver medal in the National Games 2015 held in Kannur, Kerala.

Accolades and Awards

Conferred the GV Raja award in 1996 for his immense contribution towards basketball.
Captained the Indian team that won the gold medal in the SAF Games, 1995.
Awarded the Friasto Best Player of the State in 1989 by the Kerala Government.
Led Kerala University to its first All India University Championship in 1986