Dribbling past all odds to push basketball talent

Ravula Sridhar Reddy, president of Hyderabad District Basketball Association (HDBA), was lucky not to encounter too many challenges in organising the 17th edition of the annual C. Narsi Reddy Memorial Basketball Tournament without a break at Reddy Hostel Courts here. And that is all thanks to a team of amenable officials in the HDBA and the unstinted support of the Reddy Hostel.

The event has, no doubt, been among the most eagerly awaited one for players and officials alike. With performances keenly watched here when it comes to selection of State teams, the standard of the game is said to be higher.

The event is held in memory of a former MLA, who, as serving president of the Raja Bahadur Venkatram Reddy Hostel, saw to it that a quality basketball court was brought in place in 2004.

Prior to that, the championship was held at Victory Playground for two years.

Mr. Sridhar Reddy, a former university basketball player himself, says the specific objective is to unearth and groom talent, and takes pride in the fact that there is no politicking in the HDBA.

Interestingly, though the tournament is being held in the memory of the late MLA, none of his family members are ever approached for any financial help. It is held just as a mark of respect to Narsi Reddy, who was a genuine sports-lover, says the 42-year-old HDBA chief.

The entire cost of organising the tournament — the final is scheduled to be held on April 3 — is ₹1.20 lakh, which is taken care of by the Reddy Hostel.

“The desire is to keep organising as many events as possible like the recently-held Indian Colleges Basketball League and All-Stars championship during which Boston Celtics’ assistant coach Gib Arnold from USA interacted with the local talent and coaches. The HDBA takes pride in successfully conducting junior and sub-junior nationals. The biggest goal now is to host an international event. We are also determined to get the SAI Basketball Academy to the city,” Mr. Sridhar Reddy added.