NAGPUR’S Shomira Bidaye has been selected for the 12th Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia camp that gets under way at Canberra, Australia from August 7.

The National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and Basketball Australia (BA) on Thursday announced over 60 of the top boys and girls from more than 15 countries across Asia-Pacific who will travel to Canberra. All the selected players will train at NBA Global Academy, the league’s elite basketball training centre at BA’s Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Shomira, a player form local Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana, is one of the only three players from India to participate in this camp. The other two players are from Punjab.

Basketball Without Borders Asia is an elite basketball skills camp for top young players from across the region. Shomira was individually selected by the NBA and FIBA based on her outstanding basketball skills and leadership abilities. Basketball Without Borders Asia 2022 will be a unique opportunity for each player to improve her basketball talents, be coached by FIBA/NBA players and coaches, and get to know other basketball players her age from the region. As per information received on Thursday, the NBA and FIBA will cover all expenses incurred by the participants of the camp, including travel costs (airfare), accommodations, ground transportation, meals and insurance for the duration of the camp.

Campers will be greeted at the airport by NBA staff and will be accompanied by chaperones and security for the duration of camp. From August 7-10, FIBA/NBA players and coaches will lead the participants in basketball skill development, strength and conditioning, life skills sessions, and games and competitions. NIKE is the presenting partner for the camp, and each camper will be provided with NIKE basketball shoes, uniforms, and other apparel.

Started her playing at the age of six at Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana twin courts under the guidance of Shiv Chhatraptati Awardee Shatrughna Gokhale and Vinay Chikate, Shomira achieved many milestones in the field of basketball. Shomira, who had earlier made it to the Junior NBA India Girls team participated in the championship at Orlando. Under her leadership Maharashtra team won the gold medal securing the first position at Under 13 Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship at Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Shomira helped Nagpur District Basketball team winning back to back Sub Junior State Championships at Kalina Mumbai in 2016, Balewadi Pune in 2017 and again Balewadi Pune in 2018 with her major contribution.

Shomira is the second player from Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana to participate in the Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp. Earlier, Siya Deodhar also from Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana participated in Global Basketball Without Borders camp held at Florida USA.

Daughter of renowned Ophthalmologist couple Dr Shashank Bidaye and Dr Shivani Bidaye, Shomira is currently studying at Woodside Priority School, Portola Valley, California, USA who offered her admission under Woodside Priority’s Residential Programme for the year 2021-2022.