Ludhiana Basketball Academy men retain title, Amritsar eves emerge champions

Sports Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 22

Giving a consistent performance, the reigning champions, the trainees of the Ludhiana Basketball Academy (LBA) came out triumphant to retain the title in the men’s section in the 72nd Senior Punjab State Basketball Championship for Men and Women that concluded at Gureh village near Jagraon in the district on Sunday.

In the women’s section, Amritsar proved their mettle to lift the title.This year’s championship was dedicated to the memory of Arjuna awardee Gurdial Singh Malhi of this village.

In the men’s final, LBA players outperformed Jalandhar 90-72 to lay their hands on the winners’ trophy while in the match for the hard-line cup, Gurdaspur outwitted Amritsar 82-69 to secure the third position.

In the women’s section, the final was played between Amritsar and Ludhiana Basketball Academy in which the former resisted a strong challenge to clinch the issue 83-65 and Sangrur defeated Ludhiana district 75-50 to finish at the third place.

Yurinder Singh Hayer, former IGP and senior vice-president, Punjab Basketball Association (PBA), along with Raj Bachan Singh Sandhu, SSP, Jagraon, gave away prizes to position holders.

Teja Singh Shaliwal, honorary general secretary, PBA, and MS Bhullar, SSP, Batala,

and vice-president of the association, were the guests of honour.

Hayer appreciated the organisers namely Avtar Singh Malhi, Birpal Singh, Balwinder Kaur (sarpanch), Jathedar Jarnail Singh, Sarabjit Singh, former sarpanch Sohan Singh and other youths of the village in conducting the championship in a smooth way.

Speaking on the occasion, Dhaliwal said the Basketball Federation of India had now launched its Indian National Basketball League (INBL) on the pattern of USA’s NBA leagues which would attract more youngsters towards the game as they would be financially helped through the league system. He also said the PBA plans to train new coaches throughout the state.

Brij Goyal and Richu Sharma from the District Basketball Association, Ludhiana, said to further promote the game in

countryside, the association would distribute 2,000

basketballs and poles in village schools.