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Noida, Uttar Pradesh, August 10: The UYBA Basketball Tournament brought together young basketball players from across India at the Noida Indoor Stadium, providing an exciting platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills. The tournament featured players from more than 20 states and highlighted the growing popularity of basketball among young athletes in the country.
The inaugural UYBA (Ulhas YuviPep Basketball Academy) 3×3 Basketball Tournament was held on August 8 and 9, 2026, at the Sports Soul Arena, Noida Indoor Stadium. The event offered young players an opportunity to compete, gain experience and interact with fellow basketball enthusiasts from different parts of the country.
UYBA Basketball Tournament Gives Young Players a Major Platform
The UYBA Basketball Tournament was organised with the aim of giving young basketball players greater exposure and opportunities to develop their skills.
Basketball player Manraj Singh described the tournament as a great experience and said events of this nature could encourage more youngsters to take up basketball as a sport.
“We had a great experience here… Events like this will encourage many players to pursue basketball in the future. The sport is really gaining momentum in India… We hope to get opportunities to play basketball in other countries as well,” Manraj Singh told ANI.
His comments reflect the growing interest in basketball among young Indian athletes and the importance of competitive tournaments in helping players gain confidence.
Players From More Than 20 States Participate
One of the major highlights of the UYBA Basketball Tournament was the participation of players from more than 20 states.
The nationwide participation provided athletes with an opportunity to compete against players from different regions and experience a competitive sporting environment.
Shruti Thakur, who represented a team from West Bengal, also praised the organisation of the tournament and said that such platforms were providing players with better opportunities.
“We are representing a team from West Bengal. Our experience was very good. It was very well organised here. The players are getting good opportunities…” Shruti Thakur told ANI.
The participation of teams from different parts of India also underlined the growing reach of basketball and the increasing interest in 3×3 basketball among young players.
Rs 2 Lakh Prize Pool Adds Excitement
The inaugural UYBA Basketball Tournament featured a total prize pool of Rs 2 lakh, adding another incentive for participating teams and players.
The 3×3 format provides players with a fast-paced and competitive style of basketball that requires quick decision-making, teamwork and individual skill.
By organising a tournament with a significant prize pool and participation from across the country, the organisers created an environment where young players could compete at a higher level.
Such competitions can also help identify promising athletes who could potentially progress to higher levels of domestic and international basketball.
FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 to Be Held in Ahmedabad
Meanwhile, attention in Indian basketball is also turning towards the upcoming FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026, which will be held in Ahmedabad from August 13 to 23.
Basketball Federation of India Secretary General Kulvinder Singh Gill described India’s opportunity to host the tournament as a proud moment for the country’s basketball community.
According to Gill, the championship is returning to India after 22 years, making the event an important milestone for Indian basketball.
He also highlighted the availability of world-class infrastructure in Ahmedabad and said that hosting the tournament could provide significant benefits to Indian basketball and the state of Gujarat.
India to Face Strong Asian Competition
A total of 16 teams will participate in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026, including defending champions Australia and runners-up New Zealand.
Gill said India’s recent performance in regional competitions had provided confidence ahead of the tournament.
The Indian team reached the quarter-finals, finishing among the top eight, in the previous Asian-Oceania Championship.
With the advantage of playing at home, the Basketball Federation of India is expecting the Indian team to deliver a stronger performance in Ahmedabad.
The tournament will also provide young Indian players with an opportunity to compete against some of the best emerging basketball talent from across Asia.
Recent South Asian Championship Success Gives India Confidence
Gill also pointed to India’s recent success at the South Asian Championship as a positive sign for the country’s basketball programme.
He said the victory had created confidence within the team and that playing on home soil could provide an additional advantage during the FIBA U18 Asia Cup.
The development of young talent remains a key priority for the Basketball Federation of India as it looks to create a stronger pipeline of players capable of competing at international level.
Basketball Federation Focuses on Talent Development
According to Gill, the Basketball Federation of India has established several academic centres to identify and develop young basketball players.
Through talent scouting programmes, promising players are being provided with opportunities that include free boarding and lodging at quality schools.
Such initiatives are intended to help young athletes balance education with professional sports training.
The approach could prove important for Indian basketball as more young players look at the sport as a potential career option.
The success of tournaments such as the UYBA Basketball Tournament also demonstrates the importance of providing players with regular competitive opportunities.
Professional Basketball League Planned for 2027
Another major development for Indian basketball is the planned launch of a professional league in early 2027.
Gill said the upcoming league could create stronger career opportunities for both established players and youngsters aspiring to enter professional basketball.
A professional league could provide athletes with regular competitive exposure, financial opportunities and a clearer pathway towards a career in the sport.
The development could also help increase the visibility of basketball in India and encourage more youngsters to pursue the game professionally.
India’s Growing Sporting Culture
The growth of basketball is taking place alongside India’s broader rise in international sports.
Gill noted that Indian athletes have been winning significantly more medals at the Commonwealth Games compared with previous years.
He also highlighted the attention being given to sports development by the Prime Minister and the Union Sports Minister, particularly with regard to India’s future participation in the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
For basketball, stronger grassroots programmes, better infrastructure, talent scouting and professional opportunities could help the country develop more international-level players.
UYBA Basketball Tournament Highlights Future of Indian Basketball
The UYBA Basketball Tournament has provided young players with an important platform to compete and demonstrate their abilities.
With participation from more than 20 states, the tournament showed the growing interest in basketball among young athletes across India.
The event also comes at an important time for the sport, with India preparing to host the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 and planning the launch of a professional league in 2027.
Together, grassroots tournaments, talent development programmes, international competitions and professional opportunities could play an important role in strengthening India’s basketball ecosystem.
As more young players receive opportunities to train and compete, tournaments such as the UYBA Basketball Tournament could become an important part of India’s journey towards developing the next generation of basketball talent.
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