FIBA U-18 Asia Basketball Cup: Ahmedabad Ready for 11-Day Basketball Spectacle

Ahmedabad is set to become the centre of Asian youth basketball as the FIBA U-18 Asia Basketball Cup gets underway at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura from August 13 to 23. The tournament will also showcase the growing impact of Gujarat’s grassroots sports programmes, with three natives of the state earning roles with the Indian team.

Bhavnagar’s Ronaldo Hopkins has been selected for the Indian men’s U-18 squad, while Gujarat Sports Department coach Narendra Desai will serve as assistant coach and Dr Kunal Chudasama will be the team’s lead physiotherapist.

India will open its campaign against Japan on August 14. The team will face Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan in the group stage, with the tournament final scheduled for August 23.

The presence of three Gujarat natives in the national setup has been described as a reflection of the state’s efforts to build a stronger sporting ecosystem through initiatives such as Khel Mahakumbh, District Level Sports School (DLSS) and Shaktidoot.

For Hopkins, the journey began at school. Inspired by his mother, a former national-level basketball player, he took up the sport in Class 7 before progressing through club, state and national competitions. He currently receives monthly financial assistance from the Gujarat government, while access to professional dietary guidance and facilities at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex have supported his development.

Desai, who trained at Swarnim Gujarat Sports University, credited the state's sports ecosystem for his rise from grassroots competitions to the Indian coaching setup.

Chudasama highlighted the growing emphasis on sports science, saying physiotherapists and nutritionists are receiving support alongside athletes. Advanced facilities for injury prevention and musculoskeletal screening have further strengthened player preparation.

With India preparing to face some of Asia’s strongest youth basketball teams on home soil, Ahmedabad will provide a significant platform for the country’s next generation of players while putting Gujarat’s sporting infrastructure and talent pipeline firmly in the spotlight.