Every end, start a new….
2009 Fall JDBASKETBALL INDIA Tour!
again another incredible india update. . . .
another tour, another daily book of stories and incredible india happenings!
there is some divinity behind the mission, which is in the forefront sometimes,
my creativity and love of india basketball or something greater?
although there were many happenings, a few things that will stay in my mind forever:
the FIBA Asia Women’s championships, congratulations China basketball!
(some of those women we coached against in 2002 with SAIS)
the kindness of Stephan David, SDAT in Chennai and Tamil Nadu — of which I already blogged. . .
the coolest uniforms in all of tamil nadu:
he famous cab driver videos. actually the fact that his English is better than my Hindi is something i am working hard to change!
The warm welcome and speaking engagement with Extentia — Abhinav
and the kindness of the folks at Persistence Software
Dr. Srikanth and Anaand Deshponde.
Looking for land in the jungle for a basketball court in undisclosed locations…
an amazing story, by a passionate indian hoops lover – Karan Madhok
i did not realize our chat was an interview for an article in Slam Mag:
http://www.slamonline.com/online/other-ballers/international/2009/10/breaking-old-habits/
Handing out awards at the Delhi College campionship and the New Delhi YMCA, a special thank you to Rajeev Singh.
Ramesh and crew taking me to my first Dusshera- and the sheer mass amount of people.
If you like to see all the Dushera photos and vids – take a go: www.facebook.com/jdwalsh
My three vists to Mr. Jockin in Dhavari Slums:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1233152981346&ref=mf
Trying to find a way to get these kids more recreation to promote healthy lifestyles..
Tennis lesson with Indian great Jasit Singh at Delhi Gymkhana, one of the most giving people I ever met.
Dinner with Satish Jha from OLPC.org
The Puja ceramony that I was allowed to tag- a-long too and some of the real indians i was able to interview:
Success of the programs in New Delhi and Mumbai, all the coaches who made the programs great: Barry, Brent, Poonam, Mohit, AB, Prashant, Madhu, Monica, and Tug
Lunch with the king of India Basketball and most passionite fan of basketball in India, Harish Sirma, the president BFI
The countless drivers, especially Maxwell from AES in New Delhi!
My friends and tailors at Michelle Boutique (Colaba) ! Great job !
The kindness of Dharmendra (JC Biguine Salon) and Digvijay at @Taj Mansingh,
Apoorv and Ajinka – @Hotel Royalty and last – but not least Ilan – @Grand Hyatt Mumbai, and Coach Prashant in Pune
The Taj Hotel, standing in all her glory! My favorite hotel in the world.
Dinner at the Lodi gardens, coffee at cafe Indigo, Hard Rock Cafe – Pune
The Italian play @humanity center and Puja afterwards….
Most of all:
All the the kids I met who love India basketball! Heres a few . . .
And of course, all the love shown to me by the children and Salaam Bombay team at ‘The Biggest Diwali Party’ in Mumbai. I will never forget being part of the volunteers handing out 1500 diwali gifts. . . Thank you Padmini and Seema for including me…
THANK YOU INDIA for allowing me to make everyday in your beautiful country extraordinary.
I am back in the NYC now for about two weeks to speak at @Y2Y Conference @WorldBank but returning to the subcontinent, my second home on Nov 2 to attend @TEDIndia Conference in Mysore.
http://conferences.ted.com/TEDIndia/
Of note, post TED, I am doing two more basketball clinics as part of US Department of State Sports Initiative Grant w/ Coach Craig Esherick (Former Georgetown U, Head Coach, US Olympic team Assistant) and Robert Baker (George Mason U)
We will be conducting clinics in two cities:
November 9-11 (New Delhi) w/ New Delhi YMCA
November 12-14 (Calcutta) w/ West Bengal Basketball Association
I am really excited to give back to India basketball part of our mission is in working with the Basketball Federation of India to select 10 coaches to bring to George Mason Universtiy for training in the summer of 2010, they will impliment and sustain a distance learning program
Please keep in touch, love to hear from you all!
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www.jdbasketball.com / www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india
@jdbasketball (twitter)