ACG Sports Private Limited, in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), has recently announced the launch of India's first professional basketball league. This initiative aims to revolutionize the landscape of basketball in India, steering it from a niche sport to a mainstream pursuit with a viable career path for athletes. The league will feature both 5x5 and 3x3 formats for men and women, fostering a comprehensive ecosystem supported by world-class infrastructure, holistic athlete development, and robust community engagement.
Driven by ACG, a global leader in integrated manufacturing solutions for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, the league represents a natural progression of the company's decade-long investment in grassroots basketball programs. Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG, emphasizes the league's potential to build character, leadership, and opportunity, ensuring basketball's accessibility across India while establishing professional pathways for young athletes to thrive.
To guide the league's global strategy and operations, ACG has appointed Jeremy Loeliger, former CEO & Commissioner of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL), as Director of ACG Sports. Loeliger's expertise is expected to bring global best practices in governance, competition, and commercialization to the Indian league.
A key component of ACG's long-term strategy is the launch of India's first fully residential high-performance center within the year. This academy will boast world-class facilities, attract top coaching talent from the U.S. and Australia, and offer comprehensive training programs for players, coaches, and referees. The curriculum will integrate nutrition, mental wellness, and academics to ensure the holistic development of future stars.
Aadhav Arjuna, President of BFI, views the partnership with ACG as unprecedented, driven by vision, structured for long-term impact, and rooted in a clear understanding of Indian basketball's needs. The goal is not just to increase visibility but to build real momentum and global credibility, with aspirations of winning medals at the Asian Games and Olympics.
The complete league framework, including team structures, competition formats, player eligibility, and governance models, is currently under development with input from global basketball experts and key industry stakeholders. Detailed announcements regarding participation guidelines, venue requirements, and operational protocols will be released in a phased rollout. Kulvinder Singh Gill, Secretary General of BFI, believes this league will unlock new opportunities for young Indian talent to grow, compete professionally, and gain invaluable exposure alongside international players and coaches.
The launch of this professional basketball league marks a transformative moment for Indian sports, holding the promise of a sustainable ecosystem where every child with passion and talent can envision a viable future in basketball within India.
