clubs in the long term,” Glen believes. And there are indeed great strides being made by bodies such as the GBA. These include projects like the AOA Basketball Academy, which is focused on teaching the basics in a systematic manner to the different corners of Goa, the concepts of properly registered teams, rosters and transfer windows, and Level 1-2-3 Coaching Certificate courses which are now updated and coordinated by World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), the introductory level to which is conducted by Sebastian PJ, the present coach for the senior India squad. Father Ralin D’Souza of Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim is well known for his invaluable work with the GBA. “There was a point where the Goa team would lose virtually every game. However, currently, at the Junior Level (under-18), the girls’ squad is ranked 13 and the boys’ 14, whereas at the Youth Level (under-16), the girls’ squad is ranked 17 and the boys’ 14. This is out of a total of 30 squads. I think that this is a great testament to the future of the sport in Goa,” he shares. The sun seems to only be rising in terms of the potential that basketball seems to hold for the future. With the new work that is being put in to streamline all processes surrounding the sport, there may be hope for the future yet.
Jumping hoops to keep shooting hoops
With attempts being currently made to revive basketball’s popularity in Goa, Café looks into what can be done to help the sport develop further, and where it is currently lacking
