Basketball's Rise in Cubbonpet Bengaluru.
The founder of basketball was late Dr. James Naismith, an Canadian physical education instructor. He invented the game in 1891 while working at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Naismith was tasked with creating a new indoor game to keep his students physically active during the winter months.
He developed the basic rules of basketball and used a soccer ball and two peach baskets as goals. The first official game of basketball was played on December 21, 1891, and it quickly gained popularity, eventually evolving into the global sport we know today.
Basketball, a dynamic and fast-paced sport, was introduced to India in the early 20th century, and its journey in the country reflects a blend of cultural adaptation, steady progress, and growing popularity. Over the decades, the sport has evolved from a recreational activity to a competitive discipline with a promising future.
This article explores the history, growth, and challenges of basketball at Devanga Union Sports Club, Bengaluru.
Basketball was introduced to India in 1930 by the Young Men's Christian Association. The first game was organised by Harry Crowe Buck founder of YMCA College of Physical Education Chennai.
In 1936, India participated in the Berlin Olympics, where basketball was included as a demonstration sport, marking one of the earliest international appearances of the country in the sport.
Basketball gained traction through sports clubs, and YMCA centers across the country, primarily as an activity to promote physical fitness and discipline.
Late A.C Das, Director of Physical Education, and General Secretary Y.M.C.A Bengaluru initiated campaigns in the 1930s to popularise basketball by organising demonstration of the game and classes to teach the rules governing the game.
Even today the contributions of A C Das are remembered for his concern, involvement and dedication towards the development of organised sports and games in Mysore State.
In1936 for the first time Mysore State Basketball Team was selected and taken by A.C.Das to Lahore National Championship.The close proximity of YMCA situated on Nrupatunga Road Bengaluru, with Cubbonpet create a unique situation wherein majority of the state basketball players were residents of Cubbonpet.
The successful performance of the Mysore basketball players at Lahore cemented the popularity of basketball among the youngsters of Cubbonpet with encouragement from A C Das, Captain M.G. Vijayasarathy, and sports patrons of Cubbonpet eventually led to the establishment of Devanga Union Sports Club at Banappa Park K.G Road Bengaluru in 1946.
The popularity of basketball led to the creation of numerous sports clubs across the state to provide a centralised authority to manage the game and control sports clubs that led to the creation of Mysore State Basketball Association in 1942.
On August 15th 1946 basketball players and patrons of the game set up a sports club for youngsters of the locality which is the present Devanga Union Sports Club.
The basketball team of Devanga Union Sports Club between 1946 to1956 was the outstanding team, the club has produced, as it was so dominant in championships across the state and neighbouring states.
In 1952 the inaugural Asian games at New Delhi, three kannadigas represented the Indian basketball team, out of which two players late Papiah and late Lakshmi Narayan were Devanga Union players.
For the next ten years there was a shift in union activities to Kabaddi and wrestling, even in both the disciplines Devanga Union Sports Club excelled.
With the return of Professor N C Parappa from his highest studies in the United States of America in 1955, and his close association with late Dr, Edward Steitz a American basketball coach and official, who working for American National Collegiate Athletic Association. Who visited Bengaluru in the 1971 on the invitation of Professor N C Parappa, to conduct basketball coaching camps and share his professional experiences with Devanga Union Basketball Players.
The experience of Professor N C Parappa gained in the United States of America helped him in creating an environment for basketball players at Devanga Union Sports Club, which reflected American NBA team's coaching techniques at Bengaluru.
From 1960 to 1970 at least three to four Devanga Union players were selected to represent the Karnataka Basketball Team every year. Devanga Union Sports Club were finalists for Karnataka State Basketball Association's first division championship for many years.
Since the Asian games of 1952, no Devanga Union basketball player represented the Indian Basketball team, that changed in 1967, Late B. Muniyappa, and late Munisawmy of Devanga Union represented India in the Asian Basketball Championship at Seoul, South Korea.
Along with grooming Devanga Union players Professor N C Parappa was given the duty of coaching the Karnataka State Basketball Team, which consisted of Men, Women and Boys, he would manage teams with assistance from Late K Chandraiah who was the Manager of the state basketball teams.
In the successive national basketball championship the basketball players from Devanga Union demonstrated outstanding skills in the game to help the team achieve success and glory.
Since the 1946 union's basketball court was a mud one, on rainy days no sports activities could be held. In 1975 with initial assistance of Rs 10,000 from Lion's Club of Bangalore [Host], and contributions from club members and well wishers of Basketball Devanga union's management committee led by Professor N C Parappa commenced the laying of all weather RCC basketball court a total of Rs 65,000 was the cost incurred by Devanga Union Sports Club, and even today the same basketball court is used for tournaments.
On 12th September 1976 it was inaugurated by Late R Gundu Rao the then minister of youth services, and sports Government of Karnataka.
In 1977 the then former Union sports minister, and subsequent minister of External Affairs of India Late Sikander Bakht visited Devanga Union Sports Club, and complemented the management committee members for their efforts in encouraging sports and games in the city.
In the following decades the fortunes of Devanga Union Sports Club fluctuated with the change of player's enthusiasm,even today Devanga Union Sports Club is remembered as pioneer in sports and games management in Karnataka.
The evolution of basketball in Cubbonpet Bengaluru is a story of perseverance and passion. From its humble beginnings to its gradual rise, the sport has come a long way. With continued investment in infrastructure, grassroots development, and professional opportunities, basketball in Devanga Union Sports Club could soon reach new heights.
"A sports club is not just a name, it's a badge of honor worn by all who share its legacy."
Follow the Gavi's Touch Of Health And Fitness channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9TkDq3gvWcFfCywQ2E
#828
Comments
Post a Comment