Hyderabad, June 17: The Telangana Basketball Association (TBA) is set to launch 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.
The league will commence on June 19 at 6:00 PM at the Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium, Yousufguda, and continue until June 28, 2026. Matches will be played daily between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM, announced A. Prudhvishwar Reddy, General Secretary, Telangana Basketball Association.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Prudhvishwar Reddy said, “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.”
He further added, “Our vision is to make Telangana the Basketball Capital of India. We envision a future where every district has access to quality coaching, competitive tournaments, and professional opportunities, enabling talented youngsters from all backgrounds to pursue excellence in the sport.”
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.
The tournament will feature Under-15 and Under-18 categories for both boys and girls, marking a significant milestone in the development of grassroots basketball in the state.
The inaugural season will comprise six city-based franchises: Hyderabad Hurricanes, Ranga Reddy Rulers, Nalgonda Ninjas, Vikarabad Predators, Warangal Wildfires, Medak Monsters
The franchise auction conducted in April set a new benchmark for junior sports leagues in Telangana, generating a total franchise valuation of ₹1.48 crore. The highest bid was recorded for Hyderabad Hurricanes, which was acquired by Prospero Group for an impressive ₹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 during May to sharpen their technical skills, improve fitness levels, and prepare for high-level competition.
With professional management, franchise ownership, structured player development, and competitive match play, TJBL is poised to become a landmark initiative in Telangana’s sporting landscape and a launchpad for the next generation of basketball stars.
TJBL is expected not only to strengthen the talent pipeline for Telangana basketball but also to inspire thousands of young boys and girls to take up the sport and dream bigger.
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