New cycle of FIBA Coaching Certification courses successfully underway across India

For the third consecutive year, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has sent their expert basketball instructor Nelson Isley to continue the teaching of FIBA Coaching Certification courses in India in an attempt to spread the highest level of basketball teaching to as many Indian coaches as possible. This year, Level 1 and Level 2 courses began on November 18th and will conclude on December 20th, with five Indian cities on the schedule of FIBA and the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).

Two Level 1 courses have already concluded in Lucknow and Bengaluru, while three Level 2 courses are scheduled to be held in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Kolkata from Thursday, December 3 onwards. Each clinic is a 5-day course of 2 sessions per day, consisting of theoretical as well as practical sessions and also includes a written and practical evaluation.

These courses are being held in line with BFI and FIBA’s long-term coaching development strategy, and active interest has been shown in current and aspiring basketball coaches from around India who hope to coach the national team or help develop basketball in the grassroots. FIBA's Nelson Isley has over 40 years of international basketball experience as a player, coach and instructor. This is the American's fifth visit in India after several such clinics in the past.

The BFI stated that, compared to previous years, this time around, the emphasis is on practical demonstration as against theory. Coaches themselves are being made to showcase their skills on the court.

“There’s one thing certain about life, that if you can’t do something [yourself] you can’t teach it,” said Isley, "Indian coaches are very interested in learning… and have been very respectful… The hope is that eventually not only will you get Indian players that are ‘exportable’ so to speak… but that India can become an exporter of coaches.”

Isley confirmed that India, along with China, Nigeria, South Africa and Brazil, are priority countries for FIBA because of their sizeable populations and high number of talented athletes.

Previous years’ clinics were conducted in Mumbai (Level 1), Ranchi (Level 1), Delhi (Level 1 & 2), Chennai (Level 1 & 2), Hyderabad (Level 1), Chandigarh (Level 1), Ahmedabad (Level 1), Assam (Level 1), Kochi (Level 1), Ludhiana (Level 1), Patna (Level 1), and Pune (Level 1).

Not including the coaches who are expected to clear the 2015 clinics, there are currently 212 Level 1 and 27 Level 2 certified coaches in the country.

Schedule of 2015 FIBA Coaching Certification Courses

• Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) - November 18-22 - Level 1.
  
• Bengaluru (Karnataka) - November 25-29 - Level 1.
  
• Chandigarh - December 3-8 - Level 2.
  
• Hyderabad (Telangana) December 10-15 - Level 2.
  
• Kolkata (West Bengal) December 16-20 - Level 2.