Telangana launches pro basketball league with strong women leadership
Telangana inaugurated its first professional basketball league, TPBL, at Yousufguda. Featuring 72 players and six franchises, the league highlights women owners, record bids, and inclusivity. Organisers aim to boost sports culture and take Telangana basketball to national and international levels
Hyderabad: Telangana launched the first-ever professional basketball league of its kind in any state and only the second official state-level league in India with the formal inauguration of the Telangana Pro Basketball League at the Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy Indoor Stadium (Yousufguda) here.
This is an exclusive league for players from Telangana, showcasing homegrown talent from across the state. The league features over 72 players and engages nearly 200 supporting professionals, including coaches, technical officials, medical staff, and event personnel.
Players have been selected from diverse districts of Telangana, reflecting the depth and reach of basketball talent in the region.
Akash of the Hyderabad Hawks emerged as the highest-valued player, secured for a record bid of Rs 2.5 lakh. The players represent a wide age spectrum, ranging from 15 years to 36 years, and include students as well as working professionals, highlighting the league’s inclusive and developmental nature.
The league is scheduled to be conducted twice every year and is projected to generate over Rs 100 crore in business activity, both directly and indirectly. The winning team will receive prize money of Rs 20 lakh, along with an MVP award featuring an R15 motorcycle.
Standing tall among all participants is Srinivas Reddy of the Medchal Mavericks, the tallest player in the league, with an impressive height of seven feet.
Ahead of its inaugural season, TPBL completed its franchise auction in November. All six franchises were sold for a combined value of Rs 1.27 crore, underlining strong investor confidence and growing interest in professional basketball in the state.
The franchise ownership details for four-year rights are as follows: Hyderabad Hawks is owned by Deepti Akki of N Sports Pvt Ltd and bagged for Rs 27.5 lakh; Ranga Reddy Risers is owned by Srujana of Destiny World for Rs 26 lakh; Karimnagar Kings – Avinash & Raghuveer / Fitbee for Rs 20 lakh; Warangal Warriors – Dr Chandrashekar / Sowbhagya Bharti for Rs 18.5 lakh; Nizamabad Nawabs – Laxmi Motors for Rs 18 lakh; and Khammam Titans – Charan / SCL Infratech for Rs 16.5 lakh. Each franchise carries an annual fee equal to the bid amount, with a 5 per cent yearly escalation.
The league is the brainchild of A Prudhvishwar Reddy, General Secretary of the Telangana Basketball Association and a former Indian national player.
A unique feature of the ownership is women taking centre stage and managing the teams. Deepti Akki of Hyderabad Hawks, Srujana of Ranga Reddy Risers, and Sowbhagya Bharti of Warangal Warriors, along with their TPBL organising teams, have shown inspiring leadership, passion, and commitment. Their efforts stand as a powerful example of women driving change in sports, setting new benchmarks for inclusivity and professionalism in Indian basketball.
According to Srujana, a similar league for women and children is around the corner.
A Prudhvishwar Reddy further added that basketball in Telangana has seen steady growth over the years. Today, more than 10,000 active players participate across schools, colleges, academies, universities, and district associations.
Live broadcasts, packed indoor crowds, and professional execution are helping to increase the fan base, stated Srujana. She said it is an incredible feeling to own a team, bringing pride, responsibility, and constant buzz. In the long run, such efforts will cultivate a sports culture for current and future generations.
A Prudhvishwar Reddy stated that his goal is to take the league and local players to the national and international level. Being a national player himself, he said this is his best way to give back to the sport.
