GUWAHATI, Aug 27 � The six-day basketball coaching clinic got under way at the Royal Global School premises here today.
Experienced Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) coach Nelson Isley will be in charge of the clinic where 25 coaches from all over the country are taking part.
Apart from the clinic, Isley will impart training to some of the young players of the State.
The clinic has been organised by the Basketball Association of Assam in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India.
Talking to the mediapersons after inauguration of the clinic, the 66-year-old Isley, said, � India has to emphasise on arranging training for the youngsters in the age group of 8 to 14 years�. He, however, feels in basketball, biological factor plays a vital role. Players, particularly in the men�s category, must have to be tall. He said India has the potential but need to improve its infrastructure. In comparison to India, infrastructure for basketball is much better in Asian countries like China, South Korea, Japan and even in Sri Lanka.
Isley, who toured more than 100 countries to train basketball coaches, believes that almost all the European countries have improved a lot in this game and now there is very tough competition at the international level.
In India facilities at Hyderabad and Ranchi are satisfactory, but other venues like Mumbai, Delhi need drastic development. He urged the India federation to produce quality coaches so that youngsters could be trained in a proper way. An examination for the coaches will be conducted on the fourth day of the clinic.
State basketball body secretary Mukut Medhi informed that about 60 players will get tips from the FIBA coach during the clinic. Royal Global School principal Arup Mukhapadhaya was also present in the opening ceremony of the clinic.