NBA to set up base in India

Indian basketball is all set for exciting days ahead as the NBA is planning to set up a permanent base in the country.

"We are planning to open a permanent office in India later this year, hopefully by six to eight months. But we are yet to finalise the time and location of the office."

"A permanent office would help us formulate long term strategies to attract the huge Indian audience which consists of millions of youths, and thus to make the caging sport popular in the country," Akash Jain, NBA's director of International Development (India), said from New York.

The NBA is also ready to help the Basketball Federation of India to launch a professional league in the country and some discussion to this effect has already taken place.

"We are in dialogue with the Indian federation regarding that and quite a few rounds have been held with the BFI.

"The IPL has shown us the importance of a professional league in a country. If the huge young talent pool available is used properly, basketball can well challenge cricket - the most popular sport in India," he said.

Launching of an IPL-like professional league has been high on agenda of the Indian federation as well.

"Yes, we are in touch with them (NBA) regarding launching of a professional basketball league in the country. We have discussed the matter with them and the process is on," BFI secretary general Harish Sharma said.