NBA league draws flak from players

[Sir john]

Overwhelming response to the ongoing Mahindra NBA Challenge Community Basketball League at Ludhiana may have given the organisers enough reasons to smile, but certain participants seemed to be unhappy at the way they were being treated there. During the league matches at Ludhiana, many players were found complaining about inadequate refreshment and the kit, being provided by the organizers as in the name of refreshment, players were given just one ‘Frooti’ pack each. “This is what we are getting as refreshment here in the league, which is associated with big names. The organisers have not made even proper arrangements for drinking water for players,” lamented Amarjit, a coach of a participating team from Chandigarh. He added that he had to purchase mineral water bottles for his players at the venue. In such league, where the organisers had been making tall claims of taking the game to new heights, at least the players should be treated properly, Amarjit added. Distribution of a T-shirt to each player in the name of kit by the organisers also drew flak. “Where are the shorts? Should we purchase them from our own pockets,” quipped players. In the Ludhiana leg of the league, which started in April this year at Mumbai, over 120 teams from Punjab and its neighbouring states, including Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, are said to have registered for participation. The organisers claimed that they had short listed the teams here. Except T-shirts and refreshment, nothing extra was being provided to participants, admitted Troy Justice, director, Basketball Operations in India, NBA (USA). The teams, which are not from Punjab, have to bear all expenses, including board lodging, transportation and food from their own pocket during the league. But the Punjab teams are getting the transportation charges from the Punjab Sports Department. “Our objective is to provide the players opportunities to play and develop their talent. As this is an initial stage of the league, they (the participants) have to manage many things on their own,” said Troy.

[yoda]

wtf is this league and why is the NBA being so cheap?