Headstart Arena India (HAI) has finally made the dream of every basketball buff in India come true today, bringing to an end the multi-decadal wait for a sport that is popular among many Indians to have its own professional league. “INBL Pro,” a six-franchise tournament, was formally announced at a press conference held in the city today. Rupinder Brar, Founder & Director of INBL, Dushyant Khanna, Founder & CCO of INBL, and Parveen Batish, CEO, INBL, addressed the media on the occasion. Former basketball player & Actor Ranvijay Singha & Bollywood Actor Disha Patani joined them for the press conference. An exhibition match between Australia’s Frankston Blues NBL1 Team against a team of players from across India followed the announcement.
In his comments, Rupinder Brar, Chairman of Punvec Group and Founder/Director of INBL, said, “We are truly committed to a world-class professional league that catapults the game to the next level. We have envisioned Rs. 350 crore in investment over 5 years, which will include our contribution, other investors coming onboard, and multiple revenue streams out of INBLPro. Born to a basketball coach father in Punjab, the game holds a deep personal connect.”
Added, Dushyant Khanna, Co-Founder & CCO, INBL, “International collaboration is paramount for the growth of any sport, and in India’s case, we have seen up close how professional leagues are the best platforms to enable that. INBL Pro is open to partnering with any organization, individual, or corporate that will contribute towards realizing the larger vision. Our only motto is to make basketball grow in India.”
Parveen Batish, CEO of INBL, passionately shared, “For me, basketball is not just a sport; it’s a way of life that has infused every aspect of my personal and professional journey. Having worked at all levels of the sport in Australia, as a coach, a player, and administrator, and with some great institutions from Basketball Australia, Basketball Victoria to the NBL and local associations, I’ve gained invaluable experience. Being a basketball coach myself and having my daughters play at the professional level, the game runs in the family or in our veins literally. Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka, Meghalaya, and Delhi have a strong fan base for the sport. We expect the league to stabilize in the next 2-3 years. We have already shared the comprehensive plan we have for basketball’s development in India, with the professional league at the apex of that pyramid. The investment commitment, the personal connect to the game that each of us in the core team has, and the long-term vision/commitment more than validates our credentials to be the torchbearers of the movement to grow basketball in India.”
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