Yogi Adityanath Launches Eastern Zone Inter-University Women's Basketball Competition

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Eastern Zone Inter-University Women's Basketball Competition, praising PM Modi's role in enhancing sports culture in India. Former basketball captain Prashanti Singh discussed the promising future of the 3-on-3 format, emphasizing its potential for Indian athletes. The event aims to foster greater participation and exposure for players at all levels, with significant prizes for winners. This initiative reflects a commitment to developing a robust sports environment in the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 16, 2026, 16:16 IST

Inauguration of Women's Basketball Competition

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) - On January 16, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Eastern Zone Inter-University Basketball Competition for women.

During the event, CM Yogi commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts in fostering a sports culture across India.

He noted that prior to 2014, sports were largely overlooked by the government, resulting in inadequate infrastructure that often forced talented athletes to leave or feel disheartened. However, he emphasized that the landscape has transformed since 2014.

“Before 2014, sports were not prioritized by the government... They were frequently ignored. The absence of world-class facilities led to frustration among our talented players, but the new sports culture initiated by Prime Minister Modi is truly commendable today,” CM Yogi remarked.

Recently, former Indian basketball captain and Padma Shri awardee Prashanti Singh spoke about the rapidly evolving 3-on-3 basketball format, which she believes could significantly influence the future of basketball in India.

Discussing India's potential in this format, Prashanti pointed out that 3-on-3 basketball presents a viable opportunity for the nation to excel on the global stage.

“With the introduction of 3-on-3, we have a great opportunity. We can excel in individual events at the Olympics due to personal accountability. Forming a team of four for 3-on-3 is essential. If we have a pool of 25 to 30 players domestically, we can create a world-class team. This format can lead us to significant success,” the Arjuna awardee stated.

“This is the future of basketball globally, as it aligns with the trend of fast-paced and dynamic sports. We must embrace this future quickly. This championship embodies that vision,” she added.

Prashanti also emphasized the necessity of early adoption and increased participation to ensure ongoing development.

“We need to adopt this format swiftly and enhance its popularity. This will provide our players with more exposure. The competition includes everyone from under-14 to senior levels, creating a robust competitive environment. Juniors learn from seniors, and seniors gain valuable experience,” she concluded.

Roopam Harish Sharma, Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the Harish Sharma 3-on-3 All India Basketball Championship, shared details about the competitive prizes. “This year, we have set the first prize at Rs 1 lakh, the second at Rs 50,000, and the third at Rs 30,000,” she mentioned.