Telangana Junior Basketball League to begin in Hyderabad on June 19

The Telangana Basketball Association will launch the inaugural Telangana Junior Basketball League on June 19 in Hyderabad. Featuring Under-15 and Under-18 boys' and girls' categories, the league has attracted nearly 3,000 registrations and will involve six city-based franchises

Hyderabad: The Telangana Basketball Association will organise the inaugural edition of the Telangana Junior Basketball League (TJBL), a first-of-its-kind professional basketball league in the State dedicated exclusively to identifying, nurturing and showcasing young talent, from June 19 at the Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy Indoor Stadium (Yousufguda) here.

“The objective behind TJBL is to nurture talent from the grassroots level, provide access to quality coaching and professional infrastructure, and create a sustainable ecosystem for basketball to thrive in Telangana. We want to identify promising players at a young age and provide them with a clear pathway to excel at the State, national and international levels,” A Prudhvishwar Reddy, TBA general secretary, said.

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“TJBL has been conceived as a professional platform for aspiring young basketball players to showcase their abilities, gain competitive exposure and accelerate their sporting careers. The league reflects the rapidly growing basketball culture in Telangana and the increasing confidence of investors, stakeholders and sports enthusiasts in the future of the game,” he said.

The tournament will feature Under-15 and Under-18 categories for both boys and girls.

The inaugural season will comprise six city-based franchises: Hyderabad Hurricanes, Ranga Reddy Rulers, Nalgonda Ninjas, Vikarabad Predators, Warangal Wildfires and Medak Monsters.

The franchise auction conducted in April set a new benchmark for junior sports leagues in Telangana, generating a total franchise valuation of Rs 1.48 crore. The highest bid was recorded for Hyderabad Hurricanes, which was acquired by Prospero Group for an impressive Rs 33 lakh.

The league has received an overwhelming response from across the State, with nearly 3,000 young athletes registering to participate. Following a rigorous selection process, shortlisted players underwent a month-long intensive training camp in May to sharpen their technical skills, improve fitness levels and prepare for high-level competition.