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Kolkata is about to witness the most unique basketball competition in its hoops history. The Goodwill Basketball Tournament 2012 will include teams ranging from young school kids to Xaviers passouts in their mid 40s, and anyone and everyone who loves the game and wants to compete. Registrations are still piling on and open till 10 April.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar8ZRfe1bvQ
How is this event for everyone? See, there are two types of basketball players in our country:
- those who have played state/national level ball.- those who want to experience that kind of competition, but have not made it to that level.
An overwhelming majority of ballers will fall into the second category, and it far outweighs the first one. The established players dominate the local competitions and the entry barrier is very high for newcomers, pun intended. In basketball clubs, there’s a vicious circle. You don’t get to play much unless the team knows you are any good and they won’t know you are any good unless they see you play.
The Goodwill competition does away with the monopoly of those players by having a unique twist:Each team can only have one player who has played basketball for the state at any level, even if it is under 12 basketball. It’s a great filter to ensure that the competition is competitive. And it gives an opportunity to fans of the game who otherwise don’t get to participate compete in inter club matches to go up against other players in similar situation.
The main brain behind this event, Dishmit Singh, is an avid basketball player who has played All India YMCA Basketball. Basketball has been his passion for 15 of the 25 years he’s lived. About his motivation for making this tournament possible, he says: “I went to UK to study, and I was struck by the enthusiasm with which the people there are involved in the game and in conducting activities around it. That got me thinking, “Yaar, I have been in Kolkata for so long. I love the game, and what have I done for it here?” I wanted to do something to share and stoke the passion I have and I know the city has for the game.”
A unique feature of this contest is that there will also be a 3 point shootout and a skills challenge in this competition. You don’t have to be on a team participating in this tournament to take part in either. For further queries and submission of your entry please contact: Dishmit Singh (+919051447102) or Dennis Osta (+919748509577).
Stay tuned to keep up with more details about the competition.
Goodwill Basketball Tournament 2012- Kolkata
“It is an occasion to know and enrich each other by sharing experience through the medium of sports and games and most importantly, promoting the game.”
This occasion will last for 4 days starting from 12 April 2012 to 15 April 2012.
