“ Ready, Steady, Go! “, our driver yelled as we hurriedly exited the SUV to Cafe Coffee Day thru the thunder and lightning storms. Unsuccessfully we ran between the raindrops and into the ultra modern building. It looks even more futuristic next to the old dusty Bangalore street. The sign read – A lot can happen over coffee– that is true — but I started thinking, lot can happen over india too!
What can I say?, but yet another amazing India adventure…..God is blessing me, my soul has found a home.
Amidst all the heat waves, rains, IPL games and IPL/ Modi scandal stories, the wedding, not wedding, divorce, 15,000 Rs , and wedding again for cricket and tennis stars there we were. . .
Me, Craig and Bob, in South India for US Department of State program Part 2.
We stood in a familiar place, the SDAT stadium in Chennai all sorts of garland, sandlewood, and full of optimism. Reintroduced to some old friends and future hoop stars – it all felt so homey. I can’t believe I have been back to this city six times to do clinics!
Because of Chennai’s success and interest in the basketball, I think Tamil Nadu maybe the basketball capital of India! I know they have been practicing because all the paint that was fresh just September (only) has been wiped away clean.
We enjoyed a nice start to an extensive four days training on Offenses and Defenses for the 40 players and 25 coach attendees. We started warm-up drills and had the coaches learn and emulate the following day. We ran , dribbled and sweated our way thru the heat in gymnasuim. Its a great feleling to give it your all!
The girls team from Erode was always early –getting in the extra shots! I can tell from the previous training they are really improving. The new wave of women in sport in India is really inspiring.
On our off day we visited St. Thome Cathedral Basilica in Chennai a beautiful church and the burial of St. Thomas the Apostle (One of only 3 apostle burials in the world) .
We did double sessions for four days straight to a group of very enthusiastic coaches.
By programs end, I felt we helped to lay down the foundation the coaches can implement for significant progress.
The Vice counsel himself, Matthew Petit from South India, reminded all of the good effects these people to people programs have. He even spoke Tamil!
Ever since coming to India in 2007, I wanted to see and train the best. Of course meant the ‘Young Cagers’ – the Mens Indian Sr. National Team.
During our trip in February to GMU, President of Basketball Federation of India (BFI) , Mr. Harish Shirma asked if we would be wiling to work with the Mens Senior National team for a few days at Sports Authority of India (SAI) during our stay Bangalore.
Excitedly we agreed and immediatly finalized our bookings at the Bangalore Club, and old social club that dates over 100 years and boasts of the stays of Sir Winston Churchill himself!
SAI training complex is located about 45minutes outside of town, somehow our driver Raj managed to circumnavigate the crazy traffic alike a pro. It is a huge campus connected to Bangalore University with an Olympic Size swimming pool and golf course.
The Head Coach, Alexander Bucan and Assistant, Mohit Bhandari prepared the guys and was a big help us in organizing the four day program. Tunsulia from the Basketball Federation of India was also there. The SAI training hall is used for volleyball, badminton and is overseen by posters of Hindu gods and a banner that surrounds a clock ( I still have no idea why) . Coaches from throughout South India (Kerala to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) joined in.
We started with the Fearless Seven but when Dinesh CV was injured on Day 1 we were down to the Super Six. Luckily a local army team arrived and on we went with teaching more complex basketball.
We put in alot of work on 2-2-1 full court zone press and press break (pressure set) and a motion offense. The team has talent, especially some of the younger guys.
We did meet a few people along the way and visit Subhash basketball an NGO to say hi to the kids.
Troy Justice, newly hired basketball operations for the NBA came down and we had a nice chat. The NBA India recently announced a recreational league that will certainly add in the development and popularity of the game in India!
Historic.
(Click to read more about our trip in this month SLAM MAGAZINE by Karan Madhok)
Lastly:
Rest In Peace to a good friend fellow India sports lover, Joseph Ollapally. I will really miss you, my friend.
My sisters 2nd grade class (Scaggy Hill Elementary, Port Jefferson, NY) asked me to take a long ‘Flat Stanley’ a school project, thank you for all my new friends and their willingness to comply! You guys made a lot of kids really happy!