PUNE GIRLS CROWD MAH. U-18 TEAM

               It is a known fact that Pune has led the state in producing players who have represented the country regularly in the past few years in the girls section.So before the final list of players was declared for the Maharashtra girls team for the upcoming U-18 nationals,it was anybody's guess that a major chunk of the team would be from the city.And now that the list is officially declared,it doesn't come as a surprise that a staggering seven players from Pune have made the cut into the state team.While this trend was similar for boys,this time unfortunately only one lad has made the cut into the state boys team.
              The 63rd Junior National Basketball Championship for Boys & Girls, India's top competition of the best under-18 talent from all across the nation, has been set to take place in the South Indian union territory of Puducherry from May 23-30, 2012. Organised by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), the Junior Nationals are being held only 11 days after the conclusion of the Sub-Junior Nationals this year in Goa.
                The BFI has announced that the tournament will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Puducherry. Players born on or after January 1, 1994 are eligible to participate.  
          
              Of these seven girls,five have already represented the Indian team earlier.The team is captained by Shireen Limaye of PYC Hindu Gymkhana.Other Pune players in the squad are Sneha Rajguru,Sruthi Menon,Gouri Ahir( all Sardar Dastur),Krittika Divadkar,Namasvi Ajmera( both St.Mary's) and Ishwari Pingle of St.Joseph's.Except Gouri and Namasvi,all have played for India.The lone Pune player in the boys team is Yash Ponde of Deccan Gymkhana.

              Last year's Junior Nationals were held in Delhi in July: Tamil Nadu (Boys) and Kerala (Girls) were crowned champions. However,this time,the Maharashtra girls wouldn't settle for anything less than the gold medal.

           

SNEHA RAJGURU

SRUTHI MENON

KRITTIKA DIVADKAR

NAMASVI AJMERA

GOURI AHIR

SHIREEN LIMAYE( CAPT.)

ISHWARI PINGLE

YASH PONDE

DECCAN GYMKHANA (part 1)

         When it comes to basketball in Pune, Deccan Gymkhana needs no introduction. Situated in the hub of the city,the Deccan Gymkhana Sports Complex houses the basketball courts known to every player in the city. Since the gymkhana was established in the year 1906,promotion of sports and nurturing sportspersons has been a continuous endeavour throughout its illustrious sports history.Located in the heart of Pune, Deccan Gymkhana extends across an area of 14 acres,perhaps the only place where one can find such a variety of sports played under one roof.
          The Gymkhana boasts of four synthetic courts with floodlights and seating space for the spectators.It has been venue to numerous tournaments since years. The PDBA conducts its tournaments for the u-13,u-16,u-18 and open age groups on this venue.Another event of magnitude organised here is the FIREBALL which is the premier inter-college tournament of the city conducted by the LEO club.                                
            

hawk-eye view

a snap during FIREBALL

             And it isn't just a venue for basketball tournaments.The name deccan actually induces fear in  the minds of opponents.Such is the legacy created by some of the players who have spent a major chunk of their playing career on these courts.Amongst them is the current senior team of Deccan,quite often referred to as the dream team of Pune,who have been playing together for years and have hardly ever lost a match in the state.These players also form the Maharashtra senior team thus bringing glory and raising high the name of the city in the state in the field of basketball.It is said that being accompanied by quality people improves one's quality.And why not....for this has been seen in the current crop of Deccan Gymkhana youngsters who have won the district junior championship for two years in a row now.Although the boys have been almost invincible,it may take some time for the girls teams to establish their supremacy in the city.

                  There is no dearth of talent and opportunities and with such an amazing history of the club,one shouldn't worry about its future too.Watch out this space for the success stories and in-depth achievements about this club in the upcoming part "DECCAN GYMKHANA- PART 2".

Pune Basketball League

THE CONCEPT: started this year,the pune basketball league (PBL) promises to be one of the most anticipated leagues in pune in the near future. Organised by the modern past association (MPA),the oldest active basketball club in the city, the PBL has successfully been conducted for the u-13 and u-16 age groups and there are plans to conduct the league for u-18 and open categories as well.This concept will occupy the whole year and thus the over-enthusiastic basketball fans of the city won't have much to complain about.

THE ORGANISERS: The league is sponsored by local organisations and headed by Mr.Chaitanya Dixit,who is well supported by the MPA volunteers including Harshal Javeri,Kanhaiya Ashtekar,Rugved Nirgudkar,Tanvi Shevade and Karan Kothadiya amongst others.

THE VENUE: The modern high school basketball court,with floodlights and huge seating area for spectators,provides the perfect atmosphere for fans and audience alike. And with the DJ playing international hits,the aura gets truly electric.

AUTHOR'S TAKE: In all, I would rate this league a 4 out of 5.This league is here to stay...!!!

hey all bballers in pune.....finally after days of research on blogging i'v created this blog for all f us...ur support will be thoroughly appreciated......i'll try to put as much info. abt d tournaments and events as possible.....ur criticism will be much welcomed to improve this blog....thank you...!!!