VV Subramaniam
Hyderabad
It was a welcome sight when some of the most prominent names in Indian basketball participated in a trial-out organized by the organizers of the Elite Pro 5×5 League (EPBL), the largest of its kind in the country, at the Kotla Vijaya . Bhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium here on Friday.
Around 250 players participated in a mandatory two-day trial-out to select around 150 players for the 12 franchises of EPBL to be held in October.
Sunny Bhandarkar, CEO, EPBL Pvt. Ltd. told Hindu The entire objective of the league was to provide a platform for the best talent in the Indian circuit from young to experienced players across different age groups and categories.
“Once selected for the franchise, each player will be given a salary of Rs 3 lakh per season. We hope this league will do the same to basketball as the IPL is doing to cricket.
Importantly, Ram Kumar Gehlawat, former international and Indian junior team coach, Jagat Narayan Nehra, coach, Sports Authority of India and H. Parameshwara, a former SAI coach, was taking notes on the performance of the players, a selection panel comprising. Select the best from many.
The 12 teams in EPBL are Mumbai Stars, Pune Pythons, Jaipur Giants, Kochi Packers, Chandigarh Conquerors, Hyderabad Hoops, Lucknow Swarms, Chennai Turbos, Punjab Gladiators, Ahmedabad Aces, Delhi Dominators and Bengaluru Stallions.
Asked whether the league has the backing of the Basketball Federation of India, Bhandarkar said he had an oral discussion and wrote to the federation as well and was awaiting a response. “We are optimistic because we are not here to be a rival body, but only to promote the sport.”
However, a senior BFI official said that he was neither contacted nor permission was sought.
Obviously, if the BFI says no to the league, the players could look to an uncertain future.