In order to popularize and promote the second most popular game in the world, Basketball in Sri Lanka among young children between the ages of 4-15 years, the Mini basketball Programme XII was started in October 2011.
The Objective of this program is to introduce the basics of Basketball to young boys and girls so that they could acquire advance techniques with time, expert coaching and practice. Training is conducted at the Mercantile Basketball courts on Saturdays & otters Aquatic Basketball Courts on Sundays, both Evening 4.00 pm to 6.00pm ( for different age groups)
Every month a special Poya-day program is conducted to improve physical endurance and fine tune laying techniques, supplemented by a road run to boost stamina.
The Six coaches under whose guidance the children are being trained , are experienced and well versed with the game, having played national and/ or international level basketball. Most of them have also coached a number of champion teams. The names include Bernard Silva, Vincent Loganathan, Z.A.M. Mahroof, Tony Ganlath, Rasika Fernando, Apsara Sujeewani. At present there are over 100 children from all communities enrolled in the program, of whom about 100 actively participate in the training program. The 1 – 11th Mini Basketball Training program had nearly 100 children in each and concluded successfully with a Mini basketball carnival which was attended by a large number of parents, officials and well-wishers.
The Mini Basketball Carnival to be conducted on December 2012 is planned to be conducted with much pageantry, where the highlight would be matches being played among children of different age groups.
Though the final was planned to be held at the Royal College Sport Complex on 08th December 2012.
All players will be given a playing kit which includes sportswear (skinny, short and sweat shirt) , Certificate , Medal, Ball, Bag and many other goodies will be given.
