GUWAHATI, Sept 25 � Leading teams of the country will be seen in action during the All India Invitation Basketball Championship which will be organised by NF Railway Sports Association (NFRSA) at their indoor stadium, Maligaon.
The meet will be inaugurated by NF Railway General Manager Keshav Chandra tomorrow at 10.30 am. Altogether seven teams-ONGC Dehradun, Indian Overseas Bank Chennai, BSF Jullandhar, DMW Patiala, South Central Railway Secunderabad, Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala, Assam Regiment Shillong and host NF Railway.
Giving details about the tournament NFRSA president RS Virdi said they had invited several teams but these seven have confirmed their participation. The teams will be divided into two groups and after group league matches top two teams of each groups will qualify for knock out semifinals. The final has been slated for September 29.
The tournament has been organised to encourage the local youngsters. The local players will able to learn from leading players of the country like Arjun Singh, Gagan Deep Singh, Suresh Kumar, Pratham Singh, Hanuman Singh, Virendra, Mural Kishan etc. The Basketball Federation of India has recommended this tournament where Rs 1.8 lakh is at stake as prize money. The champion team will be richer by Rs one lakh while the second and third position holders will get Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.
NF Railway PRO S Hajong and NFRSA secretary PK Singh were also present in the press meet and gave informations about participating teams and their standards.
Virdi also intimated that the NF Railway SA, affiliated to Guwahati Sports Association, is promoting sports since a long time. It has sports complexes for the events like football, cricket, tennis, swimming, basketball, volleyball etc with good facilities. Players from NF Railway have been representing the State in various sports disciplines, he added.
