Hyderabad, June 29: The 10-day maiden edition of the Telangana Junior Basketball League TJBL, the first-of-its-kind franchise-based junior basketball league in India, concluded on an exciting and memorable note late Sunday night at the Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium KVRIS, Yousufguda, Hyderabad.
The inaugural league, which brought together the finest young basketball talent from across Telangana, witnessed intense competition, enthusiastic fan support, and outstanding individual performances throughout its 10-day run, setting a new benchmark for grassroots basketball development in the country.
Following a thrilling Day 10 finals, Warangal Stallions clinched the Under-18 Boys title with a narrow 79-77 victory over Vikarabad Mambas, while Vikarabad Mambas dominated the Under-15 Girls category with a 63-52 win against Warangal Stallions. In the Under-18 Girls category, Nizam Royals secured the championship with a 73-66 win over Nalgonda Speed Strikers, and Vikarabad Mambas emerged champions in the Under-15 Boys category with a commanding 101-69 victory against Nalgonda Speed Strikers.
The runners-up were Warangal Stallions in the Under-15 Girls category, Nalgonda Speed Strikers in the Under-15 Boys category, Nalgonda Speed Strikers in the Under-18 Girls category, and Vikarabad Mambas in the Under-18 Boys category.
The finals witnessed exceptional individual brilliance, with several players delivering standout performances under pressure. Krish’s remarkable 72-point game in the Under-15 Boys final was one of the most dominant displays of the tournament, while Shreetej’s 29-point effort guided Warangal Stallions to a thrilling Under-18 Boys title win. Geetha’s commanding 30-point performance powered Vikarabad Mambas in the Under-15 Girls final, and Bhavan’s 25-point contribution played a crucial role in Nizam Royals’ triumph in the Under-18 Girls category. These performances highlighted the immense talent pool emerging from Telangana and underscored the success of TJBL in nurturing future stars.
Shri K. Shiva Sena Reddy, Chairman, Sports Authority of Telangana, was the Chief Guest at the valedictory function. He was joined by Shri Ravula Sridhar Reddy, President, Telangana Basketball Association TBA; Shri A. Prudhvishwar Reddy, General Secretary, TBA; Shri Masood Bin Ahmad Zakir, Chairman, TBA; and Shri N. Chandrasekhar, Treasurer, TBA, in presenting trophies, medals, and awards to the champions, runners-up, and outstanding performers.
Addressing the young players, Shri Shiva Sena Reddy urged them to dream big and set their sights on winning medals at the national and international levels. He assured them of the Telangana Government’s commitment to supporting talented sportspersons and providing them with every possible opportunity to excel.
“Bring glory to Telangana through sports. The State Government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, is committed to encouraging and supporting every deserving athlete. If you have talent and dedication, we will ensure that you receive the necessary support,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ravula Sridhar Reddy, President of TBA, said the successful conduct of TJBL was a landmark achievement for Telangana basketball and a proud moment for the association.
“TJBL is the first junior franchise-based basketball league of its kind in the country. Our objective is to identify young talent, provide them with a professional platform, and create opportunities for them to grow into future champions. The overwhelming response from players, parents, coaches, franchise owners, and basketball enthusiasts has validated our vision,” he said.
He thanked the organizing committee, volunteers, coaches, franchise owners, sponsors, officials, and supporters who worked tirelessly to make the league a grand success.
Highlighting the growing strength of Telangana basketball, he said the association takes immense pride in seeing three talented players from the state—Viha Reddy, Jonnalagadda Nethra B, and Saanvi K—represent India on the international stage and contributing to the country’s success.
“Their achievements are an inspiration to every young player participating in TJBL and demonstrate the tremendous potential that exists within Telangana,” he added.
Shri A. Prudhvishwar Reddy, General Secretary of TBA, expressed gratitude to the players and parents for placing their trust in the association and supporting the league.
“Our singular goal is to produce players who can bring laurels to Telangana and India. TJBL is only the beginning. We will continue engaging with all stakeholders and introduce more leagues, competitions, and development programmes to strengthen the basketball ecosystem in the state,” he said.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Aaradhya, Krish, Bhavana, and Aadvik were adjudged the Most Valuable Players MVPs in their respective categories for their outstanding performances throughout the competition.
The successful completion of TJBL marks the beginning of a new era for basketball in Telangana, creating a sustainable pathway for young talent and reinforcing the state’s emergence as one of India’s leading centres for the sport.
Final Scores & Top Performances:
Under-18 Boys Final
Warangal Stallions 79 bt Vikarabad Mambas 77
Top Performers:
Warangal Stallions – Shreetej 29, Aadvik 17
Vikarabad Mambas – Suryansh 21, Yeshwanth 16
Under-15 Girls Final
Vikarabad Mambas 63 bt Warangal Stallions 52
Top Performers:
Vikarabad Mambas – Geetha 30, Tanmayee 17
Warangal Stallions – Mishra 17, Mishca 15
Under-18 Girls Final
Nizam Royals 73 bt Nalgonda Speed Strikers 66
Top Performers:
Nizam Royals – Bhavan 25, Diya 22
Nalgonda Speed Strikers – Sahasra 24, Tejal 17
Under-15 Boys Final
Vikarabad Mambas 101 bt Nalgonda Speed Strikers 69
Top Performers:
Vikarabad Mambas – Krish 72, Sidhant 15
Nalgonda Speed Strikers – Aditya Pasnddr 28, Rishab Menon 16