In recent years, Raspreet Sidhu has emerged as a shining star in Indian basketball, consistently delivering remarkable performances. With participation in three Asian Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she has showcased her talent on a global stage. Currently serving as the head of Sports at Shiv Nadar School, Sidhu shared her insights on the rapid evolution of Indian basketball.
The basketball landscape in India has witnessed a paradigm shift over the past decade, with an unprecedented surge in opportunities for female players. Sidhu highlighted the significant increase in exposure for athletes at both state and national levels. Notably, around 15-20 Indian players are now studying and playing for NCAA divisions 1, 2, and 3 in the United States, a development that has immensely benefited the sport.
With the Indian Railways actively supporting basketball and promoting professionalism in sports, the number of opportunities at the professional level has significantly risen. As a result, female players now have a greater chance to join professional teams, accelerating the growth of the sport across the country.
The collaboration between Indian basketball and NCAA has proven to be pivotal in the players’ development. By training and studying abroad, Indian athletes return with enriched skills and experiences, contributing to the national team’s improvement.
Looking ahead, Sidhu expressed confidence in the potential of emerging Indian players. While Geethu Ann Jose’s success generated interest in foreign leagues in the past, Sidhu believes the current crop of players can leave their mark in prestigious leagues like the WNBA development leagues. Citing the example of the under-17 boys’ team securing a berth at the world championship, she believes the players studying in the US could follow a similar path to represent the WNBA in the future.
The growing talent pool includes several notable players such as John, who represents the national team, and Anmolpreet, who has played professionally in Japan for multiple years, standing as the sole Indian player in the league. Despite Kavita’s decision to step back from playing, the list of promising talents is extensive, raising optimism for the future of Indian basketball.
Sidhu also assessed India’s standing among Asian teams, acknowledging the nation’s closest achievement of securing the fifth position during her captaincy at the 2013 championship in Thailand. Presently, India maintains a top 8 spot, competing in division A alongside Oceania teams, demonstrating commendable progress in the Asian basketball hierarchy.
When discussing the role of foreign coaches, Sidhu emphasized the need for a collective effort at all levels. While foreign coaches have been instrumental in the growth of Indian basketball, she stressed the significance of investing in grassroots-level coaching programs. By training Indian coaches under BIBA licensed trainers, the long-term planning and development of basketball in India can be significantly enhanced. Sidhu’s experiences training under various foreign coaches have informed her belief that a thoughtful and well-structured grassroots program will be pivotal in nurturing future talents.
