IOA President PT Usha meets FIBA Secy General, discusses development of basketball
Glasgow, July 25
Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha met FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, where the two sides discussed avenues to strengthen cooperation for the growth of basketball, create greater opportunities for athletes, and deepen engagement between India and the sport's global governing body.
The meeting brought together the IOA chief and senior leaders of the international basketball community as discussions centred on the future development of basketball in India and ways to enhance collaboration with FIBA.
Reflecting on the interaction, PT Usha highlighted the significance of working closely with the world governing body to support the sport's progress in the country.
"Pleased to meet the Secretary General of FIBA and other senior leaders of the international basketball community on the sidelines of the #CWG2026 in Glasgow today," she wrote on X.
The IOA President said the conversations extended beyond bilateral engagement and focused on creating a stronger pathway for the sport's development while opening up new possibilities for Indian players.
"Our discussions focused on strengthening collaboration for the development of basketball, expanding opportunities for athletes, and advancing our shared commitment to the growth of the sport," Usha added.
Basketball has been one of the disciplines receiving increasing attention in India's sporting ecosystem, with efforts continuing to improve grassroots structures, athlete development programmes and international exposure. The meeting comes at a time when Indian sports administrators are looking to build closer relationships with global federations to accelerate the sport's progress.
Expressing optimism about the road ahead, PT Usha reiterated the IOA's intent to continue working alongside FIBA in promoting basketball both within India and on the international stage. "I look forward to continued cooperation in promoting basketball in India and contributing to its global development."
— IANS
Reader Comments
PT Usha is doing good work as IOA chief. But honestly, we need to see concrete outcomes—not just meetings and tweets. How many Indian basketball players have actually gone to international leagues? The infrastructure in tier-2 cities is pathetic.
Basketball has huge potential in India—just look at how popular it is in schools and colleges. But the jump from inter-school level to international is massive. We need proper academies like the NBA Academy in Delhi NCR to be replicated across states. A good first step though.
Honestly, I'm a bit sceptical. We always hear about "discussions" and "cooperation" but nothing changes on the ground. Indian basketball hasn't qualified for the Olympics in decades. Let's see some actual funding for state associations and talent scouting.
As someone who played basketball at the university level, this is great to hear! 🏀 We have so much raw talent in smaller towns. The key is getting FIBA to help with coach training and exposure tours. The Indian women's team especially needs more international friendlies.
Great to see India engaging with FIBA. The 3x3 basketball format could be a game-changer for India—it's faster, requires less infrastructure, and India did well at the Asian Games. Hope the IOA pushes for more 3x3 development alongside 5x5.
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