Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship Returns To Andhra After 22 Years

T.N. Sports Minister inaugurates 51st Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship in Vijayawada

Tamil Nadu Sports Minister and Basketball Federation of India president Aadhav Arjuna inaugurated the 51st Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship (Boys and Girls) at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Indoor Stadium in Vijayawada on Monday (September 28, 2026).

Eight-day national event begins

The championship is being held from September 28 to October 4 as an eight-day sports event in Vijayawada.

It is being jointly organised by the Basketball Association in Andhra Pradesh, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), and the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP).

Speaking during the inauguration, Mr. Arjuna said the BFI was committed to nurturing grassroots talent and identifying the next generation of basketball stars to represent India on the international stage.

The opening ceremony was attended by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, Sports Authority of A.P. chairman A. Ravi Naidu, and MLAs Gadde Rammohan, Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Yalamanchili Satyanarayana (Sujana) Chowdary, and Bode Prasad.

Championship returns to Andhra Pradesh after 22 years

Speaking on the occasion, the Vijayawada MP said it was a matter of pride that the basketball championship had returned to Andhra Pradesh after 22 years.

He said hosting national-level competitions of this kind would further enhance Vijayawada’s recognition as a sports city.

A total of 54 teams from across the country have arrived in the city to compete in the championship.

The participating teams comprise 28 boys’ teams and 26 girls’ teams.

Over 640 young players will face off in a league-cum-knockout format during the tournament.

Matches across major indoor venues

To accommodate the heavy schedule, matches are being conducted concurrently across major indoor venues in the city.

The venues include the Maris Stella College Indoor Stadium and the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Indoor Stadium.

The event brings together national participation, local organising bodies and State sports authorities under the structure of the Basketball Association in Andhra Pradesh, BFI and SAAP.

The championship’s scale is reflected in its 54-team field, its boys’ and girls’ categories, and the league-cum-knockout format involving over 640 young players.

The report was published on September 28, 2026, at 10:24 pm IST.

Source: The Hindu