Veteran basketball competitions receive enthusiastic response n Sports Reporter VETERAN basketball players turned out in large numbers for the Free Throw Competition and 3x3 Basketball Tournament organised at Nutan Bharat Yuvak Sangh, Bajaj Nagar. Organised for the first time in the history of the Nagpur District Basketball Association, the event witnessed spirited participation from former players. Team Deo, comprising Santosh Deo, Samir Shrivastava and Nilesh Jumle emerged champions in the 3x3 Basketball Tournament while Team Bapat, that included Nagesh Bapat, Atmaram Pande and Pramod Patharkar, finished runner-up. Around 100 former players in the age group of 55 to 80 years participated in the event. Many retired players travelled from different parts of Maharashtra, while several others who are now settled outside Nagpur returned especially for the occasion. The reunion rekindled cherished memories as old team-mates met after many years, bringing back the spirit of friendship, competition and camaraderie on the basketball court.

 

The gathering also revisited memories of the basketball scene in 1976. At that time, Nagpur had only five or six basketball clubs. Despite limited facilities and challenging circumstances, the players of that era kept the sport alive and nurtured its growth. Their dedication has helped transform the city into a basketball hub with 22 active clubs and hundreds of players. Many players from Nagpur have since gone on to represent Maharashtra and India, bringing laurels to the city. Senior players representing Nutan Bharat Yuvak Sangh, Shivaji Nagar Krida Mandal, Dharampeth Krida Mandal, Swastik Krida Mandal, NASA Basketball Club, Apollo Basketball Club, Reshimbagh Basketball Club and several other clubs took part in the event. Ayush Agrawal and Aryan Bante officiated as referees. The winners were felicitated with trophies and mementoes by Nagpur’s first national basketball player Dilip Bapat, Dattu Khare, Suresh Ghugre, Dr Arun Dani and Dr Raju Mahajan. The prize distribution ceremony was presided over by Ramesh Bakshi, President of Nutan Bharat Yuvak Sangh. Ratnakar Ranade conducted the proceedings, while Adv Abhay Kaple, Executive President of the Nagpur District Basketball Association and a veteran player, delivered the introductory remarks and proposed a vote of thanks. Samir Shrivastava, Bhavesh Kuchanwar, Anup Rajurkar and Deepak Moghe extended valuable support in the successful organisation of the event.