BASKETBALL IN KARNATAKA

The game of basketball originated in the United States of America and was introduced to India around 1908. Y.M.C.A.’s of Kolkata and Chennai have played an important role in popularizing the game. Subsequently, this game was officially recognized by the Indian Olympic Association and National basketball champ1onship was conducted for the first time in the history of Indian basketball in the year 1934 at Delhi.

Late Mr. C.C. Abraham, Principal Y.M.C.A. College of physical education Chennai strove to popularize it right from the time of its inception in India and succeeded in forming a separate federation with an idea of giving a boost to Basketball among the general public and develop the technical ability of the basketball players. The required facilities were beyond reach and not satisfactory in the earlier stages, but were improved slowly due to the effort of the institutions and clubs which patronized the game. Later on, the Basketball Federation of India showed interest in popularizing the game by inviting foreign coaches in order to create interest among youth and public.

The official recognition to the game of basketball was given in the year 1934 by the Indian Olympic Association. This gave a fillip to the game, and the first National Basketball Championship was organized in 1934 by the Indian Olympic Association. This happened because there was no exclusive federation to control the game at the national level. Therefore Indian Olympic Association took the responsibility of organizing All India Basketball Championship once in two years.

However, Mysore state team did not participate in the first National Basketball Championship conducted by the Indian Olympic Association that was held at Delhi. It was in 1936 for the first time Mysore state basketball team was selected and fielded by A.C. Das at Lahore National Championship. What a great start, precious decision and effort by A.C. Das. Since then Karnataka state has never looked back; both in participating and performing in the National Basketball Championships. Karnataka state the erstwhile Mysore won the first National Championships in the year 1952 December at Bangalore and had retained the title in the years 1954 twice in March & December at New Delhi & Calcutta, 1955 at Hyderabad, 1956 at Trivandrum. From 1957 to 1965 it was continuously Runners up to the Mighty Services.

The Basketball Federation of India was formed in the year 1950 at Mumbai and the First National Basketball Championship was held at Ludhiana (Punjab) in 1951 under the banner of Basketball Federation of India (BFI). So with the formation of the BFI, basketball set its roots deep in the soil of Indian sports and was affiliated to the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to get the official recognition.

Late C. C. Abraham, professional physical education leader, from Y.M.C.A College of Physical Education of Chennai and Meher Singh of Rajasthan were the founding leaders of Basketball Federation of India as first President and Secretary respectively. In the erstwhile state of Mysuru now Karnataka, basketball was introduced by Y.M.C.A. In 1920s, Y.M.C.A. has played a vital role not only in spreading the message of sports in Bengaluru but also developing an organized system to promote sports in Bengaluru.

Mr. A.C . Das, Director of Physical Education and General Secretary Y.M.C.A. took up the primary responsibility. In 1930s, he began his crusade to attract people towards basketball in big numbers through planned organization. The title ‘Father of organized Sports in Mysore State” rightly stands in the name of this illustrious leader because of his concern, involvement and dedication towards sports and games.

Bengaluru city Y.M.C.A. was the nucleus of sports activity and Mr. A. C Das like all other Y.M.C.A. leaders popularized the game of basketball which held added attraction to the youth of Bengaluru. In the absence of any association to control the affairs of the game the youth used to play practice matches among each other’s teams. They are Orions, Pioneers, Krishna Union Mandayams and Y.M.C.A. This not only caught the imagination of people but also attracted good crowds and numerous sportsmen were attracted towards the game and this helped to improve the skills popularity of basketball. During 1940’s many more private clubs were formed, namely Devanga Union, National Sports Club, Fortiers, Bharath Union, Eagles Club, Young Pioneers and Collegians.

Captain M.G. Vijayasarathy, a product of Y.M.C.A. Chennai was another officer who rendered service to popularize the game in the state. He was like a fatherly figure in the field of Mysore State sports and was responsible for promoting basketball along with his friends and colleagues in Colleges and other Institutions. His inspiring leadership qualities brought out many leaders who took up the job of promoting the game in the state, as a result of which Basketball was introduced in the famous Dasara Sports Festival for the first time during 1939-40. The dedicated efforts brought in the desired change. A number of private clubs were formed. To control the activities of these clubs, the need for a controlled body (Association) was felt: and this led to the formation of Mysore State Basketball Association in the year 1942. Mr. J.M. Imam, Ex-Minister o Mysore State Government and Mr. V.K. Sundaresan, respectively were the President an Secretary of the Association. The formation of Referees Board under the auspices of the Mysore State Basketball Association took place during the same year. The chairman of the referees board Mr. C. W. Subhan Singh interpreted the technical aspects of the game. The formation of the referees’ board further gave a fillip to the game and created a landmark towards maintenance and implementation of technical aspects. Activities of the state association were successfully piloted by great basketball promoters, like Dr. Kini, Capt. M. G. Vijayasarathy, A. C. Das, S. N. Ramachandhra Rao, C. N. Vijay Raghavan, Prof. V. Byrappa, C. W. Subhan Singh, Prof. N. C. Parappa, V. K. Sundaresan, J.B. Mallaradhya, D. N. Rajanna, B. S. Narayan and others supported wholeheartedly for the development of the game.

Another reason for the game reaching new heights in the state was due to the expert coaching given to our players by American coaches – Edward William Todd, Ted Arnold, Frank Kauffman, Samfox, Dr. Edward Steitz and the Philippines coach Lauro G Mumar.

This gave a real boost to basketball in the state and Mr. A.C. Das worked hard for the propagation of basketball in Mysore state. He started summer school of Physical education and conducted short term courses to award diploma in physical education to the successful candidates. Here, basketball was made compulsory for the candidates as an integral part of the curriculum, and the trainees from the institution introduced the game of basketball in schools and colleges. This is one way in which Mr A.C. Das played a vital role introducing and popularizing basketball in Mysore state.

The involvement of Americans in the game can be further established by the fact that the Air force Team from USA displayed higher standard of basketball to Bangaloreans as to how basketball should be played. Members of the American Air Force stationed at Bengaluru used to play practice matches against local youths of Bengaluru during their leisure hours. By watching and playing along with Americans the local players improved their skills in the game of basketball.

The Sports administrators from the state of Karnataka have always held positions in the federation. However Sri K. Govindaraj who took over the reins of Karnataka Basketball in the year 1990 as Secretary of KSBBA & later became the senior Vice President of BFI in the year 2007, Is now the present President of Basketball Federation of India. He is the First from the State to hold the highest Position in the Federation. Under his Able & Dynamic leadership Karnataka has hosted International events apart from holding the Prestigious National Events. Karnataka holds the Pride of Hosting Junior Men Asian Basketball Championship, at Bangalore in the year 2004, South Asian Basketball Championships for Juniors & Seniors in the year 2014 & 2015. Bangalore has been Host to the Great Harlem Globe trotters of USA & Many NBA Players have visited Bangalore. Apart from these international basketball activities, Karnataka has also Hosted the Senior National Basketball Championships for men & women and The Federation Cup.

Incidentally Sri. K. Govindaraj is also The President of Karnataka Olympic Association since 2002 and is instrumental for implementing the Karnataka Olympic Awards for outstanding sports persons of various disciplines in the State. Since its inception fifteen years back, every year International/Renowned Basketball Players & officials have been recipients of this award which includes Cash Prize along with the memento.

Basketball in Karnataka achieved new heights in the year 2014 when the state Men’s Team participated in a Six Nation International Basketball Tournament along with teams from Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei & hosts Malaysia for The Chief Ministers trophy at Penang Malaysia.

Subsequent to Mr. K. Govindaraj taking over as The President, Basketball Federation of India, Karnataka has Hosted the Indian Senior Men Training Camp and Indian Men 3 on 3 Camp at Bangalore & NITTE Mangalore, The Indian Senior Women Coaching Camp at Bangalore, and Indian U-16 Men Camp at NITTE Mangalore. Prior to the teams participation in Asian Basketball Championships. Though Karnataka has hosted many Senior National Championships, this will be for the First time it will host the same wherein The President of the Federation is from the home State.

Article compiled by Dr. R. Dhanapal & Vijendra S. Devadasen.

C. C. Abraham

Mehar Singh

Prof. N C Parappa

V K Sundresan