The Mahindra NBA Challenge to tip off Season two in Ludhiana

NBA Press Release: MUMBAI, India– The Mahindra NBA Challenge, the largest, multi-city, community-based basketball league in India, is returning to Ludhiana for its second season on July 30. The programme, conducted in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and the Punjab State Basketball Association, will run for eight weeks, culminating on September 18.

In order to give more youth the opportunity to participate this year, the programme has expanded to four divisions, up from three in season one: sub-junior for ages 12 to 13, youth for ages 14 to16, and junior for ages 16 to 18 and adults 19 and over. This has resulted in 120 teams registering to play in Ludhiana, up from 72 last season.

Participants in the Mahindra NBA Challenge will receive NBA-style basketball training in a fun environment and have the chance to compete against each other over the course of eight weeks at the Guru Nanak Stadium. Season two of the programme, which already visited Mumbai and Delhi starting in November 2010, has seen participation increase by 30% from the first season.

The league will culminate with a weekend-long celebration of basketball from September 16 to 18 that will feature an All-Star Game, semi-finals and finals. The event will engage the community with NBA-style entertainment, musical and dance performances and on-court basketball contests where fans can win exciting prizes.

The inaugural Mahindra NBA Challenge, held from April 2010 to September 2010, included leagues in Mumbai, Ludhiana, and Bangalore and attracted thousands of participants, including members of India’s Men’s and Women’s National Basketball Team. For more information please visit www.facebook.com/mahindranbachallenge.

Arjuna Awardee basketball player Anil Kumar Punj passes away at 63

Anil Kumar Punj, Arjuna Awardee, former outstanding International Basketball Player of India died on January 14, 2011 in Delhi. He was 63 years old.

Punj had an illustrious career in the Border Security Force from 1968 to 2004 from where he retired as Commandant. He distinguished himself at the international and national level and was a member of the Indian Basketball Teams which participated in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok, and two Asian Basketball Championships - 1971 (Tokyo) and 1973 (Manila). Anil Kumar Punj was a highly talented, brilliant and respected player. He was famed for his sportsmanship and for always gave his best to the team.

Over his career Punj bagged two Gold, four Silver and four Bronze Medals in National Basketball Championships and also 13 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals in All India Police Games. He was decorated with the Arjuna Award by the Govt. of India in 1976 and Police Medal for Meritorious Services 1992. He was also decorated with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award by the Punjab Govt. in 1986.

The Punjab Basketball Association (PBA), in a special meeting presided over by Basketball Federation of India (BFI) President R.S. Gill, IPS (Retd.), condoled the sudden demise of Punj. In this hour of grief, the PBA has promised to stand the family of the deceased and offer all help wherever and whenever required.

Harish Sharma, the Secretary-General of the BFI offered his condolences to Punj's family and friends. "This is great loss to basketball in India," said Sharma, "Anil Kumar Punj was a legendary basketball player."

Teja Singh Dhaliwal, the Secretary-General of the PBA, said, "It is a sad moment for the basketball society. We have lost a great player and a great friend."