India basketball soft power diplomacy JDBASKETBALL

Soft Power Diplomacy

I just finished another amazing India tour!

From TEDIndia conference to hooping it up around the subcontinent!

This JDBASKETBALL happening is part of US Department of State Sports Programming Initiative with institutional partner George Mason University.

Delhi, Kolkata

The Park Hotel and Delhi YMCA, Rajeev and Ramesh in the 5star class suits looking like hi rollers! — To the infamous Mr. P.M. John, — Sagar, Ayesha the Bengali and Delhi hoop lovers, little Buddah and the Bengal Club, this trip enjoyed rediscoveries and many new friends along the way. They are all in my heart and I take their memories with me on my journey.

The photos of the programs/ trip can be found here: www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india

The only casualty of the trip was a few missed taxis’s, a reserved but unpaid air ticket and a pair of broken glass frames, that happened during one of the drills. Hmm, I wonder how that happened . . . Coach? ? ?

It was also the first time in my (almost 4 years) and 150_+ days of clinics in India, I brought along a couple of friends.

Craig Esherick (Former Head coach at Georgetown University) and Dr. Bob Baker (Head of sports Management at George Mason University came and did great job. Showing them MY India gave me immense pleasure, its always-fun watch how the Indian players and coaches respond!

I even met the famous Indian singer, Usha Uthup – now that is an amazing woman!





Newly appointed by President Obama, The US Ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer dropped in unexpectedly and took part in the drills then gave impromptu chat to the kids. His message to the youth was to dream big!

The Ambassador even mentioned (unbeknownst to me) that his three kids had been to one of my camps and loved it! I was surprised and humbled for sure!

A lot more in store for the next month, so stay tuned!

Clearly, I am having a hard time distinguishing where is home these days, as they say in India – I am here, only.

I could write more, but videos can tell a million words out these trip hi-lites:

TED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hybju8kb7EU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0nwBLknAxY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odY2gV1TjyA&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-HM

DELHI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzFt7wx8_g

cleamons, gaurav

KOKATA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpp5PzDcxvA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SFXBvbcbaE

BOM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pA7O8JubjM&feature=youtube_gdata

India basketball update 2009 Fall Tour

again another incredible india update. . . .

another tour, another daily book of stories and incredible india happenings!

there is some divinity behind the mission, which is in the forefront sometimes,

my creativity and love of india basketball or something greater?

although there were many happenings, a few things that will stay in my mind forever:

the FIBA Asia Women’s championships, congratulations China basketball! (some of those women we coached against in 2002 with SAIS)

the kindness of Stephan David, SDAT in Chennai and Tamil Nadu — of which I already blogged. . .

the coolest uniforms in all of tamil nadu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_HcXNktyU&feature=player_embedded

the famous cab driver videos. actually the fact that his English is better than my Hindi is something i am working hard to change!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnpYGbyEL1E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vaHtBkWyg0

The warm welcome and speaking engagement with Extentia, Abhinav and the kindness of the folks at Persistence Dr. Srikanth and Anaand Deshponde

Looking for land in the jungle for a basketball court in undisclosed locations…

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1232349761266

an amazing story, by a passionate indian hoops lover – i did realize our chat was an interview for an article in Slam Mag:

http://www.slamonline.com/online/other-ballers/international/2009/10/breaking-old-habits/

Handing out awards at the Delhi College campionship and the New Delhi YMCA, a special thank you to Rajeev Singh.

Ramesh and crew taking me to my first Dusshera- and the sheer mass amount of people.

If you like to see all the Dushera photos and vids – take a go: www.facebook.com/jdwalsh

My three vists to Mr. Jockin in Dhavari Slums:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1233152981346&ref=mf

Trying to find a way to get these kids more recreation to promote healthy lifestyles..

Tennis lesson with Indian great Jasit Singh at Delhi Gymkhana, one of the most giving people I ever met.

Dinner with Satish Jha from OLPC

The Puja ceramony that I was allowed to tag- a-long too and some of the real indians i was able to interview:

Success of the programs in New Delhi and Mumbai, all the coaches who made the programs great: Barry, Brent, Poonam, Mohit, AB, Prashant, Madhu, Monica, and Tug

Lunch with the king of India Basketball and most passionite fan of basketball in India, Harish Sirma, the president BFI

The countless drivers, especially Maxwell from AES in New Delhi!

My friends and tailors at Michelle Boutique! Great job !

The kindness of Dharmendra and Digvijay at @Taj Mansingh, Apoorv and Ajinka – @Hotel Royalty and last – but not least Ilan – @Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Prashant

The Taj Hotel, standing in all her glory!

Dinner at the Lodi gardens, coffee at cafe Indigo, Hard Rock Cafe – Pune

The Italian play @humanity center and Puja afterwards….

Most of all:

All the the kids I met who love India basketball!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1233169741765&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1227062709093&ref=mf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnwdFiMImro

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1227072069327&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1225577551965&ref=mf

And of course, all the love shown to me by the children and Salaam Bombay team at ‘The Biggest Diwali Party’ in Mumbai. I will never forget being part of the volunteers handing out 1500 diwali gifts. . . Thank you Padmini and Seema for including me…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZlLOOB8BsE

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1235969891767

THANK YOU INDIA for allowing me to make everyday in your beautiful country extraordinary.

I am back in the NYC now for about two weeks to speak at @Y2Y Conference @WorldBank but returning to the subcontinent, my second home on Nov 2 to attend @TEDIndia Conference in Mysore.

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTCY/EXTYTOYCOMMUNITY/0,,contentMDK:22267670~menuPK:5045461~pagePK:64168445~piPK:64168309~theSitePK:791591,00.html

http://conferences.ted.com/TEDIndia/

Of note, post TED, I am doing two more basketball clinics as part of US Department of State Sports Initiative Grant w/ Coach Craig Esherick (Former Georgetown U, Head Coach, US Olympic team Assistant) and Robert Baker (George Mason U)

We will be conducting clinics in two cities:

November 9-11 (New Delhi) w/ New Delhi YMCA

November 12-14 (Calcutta) w/ West Bengal Basketball Association

I am really excited to give back to India basketball part of our mission is in working with the Basketball Federation of India to select 10 coaches to bring to George Mason Universtiy for training in the summer of 2010, they will impliment and sustain a distance learning program

Please keep in touch, love to hear from you all!

–

www.jdbasketball.com / www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india

Chennai, oh my!

Chennai, Oh my!

Nine days into my trip and just finished a clinic for the State Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. This being my fifth separate trip to Chennai, I am realizing the strong community involvement and commitment in the state for sports. The program was held outside of Nehru Stadium in Chennai where FIBA Asia is playing the women’s championships and the excitement of the tournament certainly tricked down into eighty or so teen aged boys and girls sporting new multi color uniforms. It is a special time here in India as we are between Eid, a Muslim holiday and Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights!

Theres no question, it was hot — pushing 95 or so degrees during the apex, luckily we started at 6:30am both days! We first worked on footwork and 3 on 3 pass/ screen away and eventually evolved to putting in the old Maryland ‘dead ball set’ – flex-type offense. Fortunately many of the coaches in attendance were present in April so this camp allowed for us to build upon my last Chennai clinic. The program went along smoothly until I tried to count to ten in Hindi during a drill (which is my basic extent of Hindi right now) and Coach Delmar said, they don’t understand Hindi or English- only Tamil! Also of note, later that session, I looked back to hear roars of laughter coming from about thirty yards away. Of course, I was the only one who it seemlingly surprised. It was laugh therapy after yoga — only in India!

After the program, I was given a special gold painted bling bling uber huge necklace (if anyone knows the name for this, please email or call me) to display (pictures to come) . The directors SDAT Senior Manager, Stephan David and Mary Rajathy, General Manager were present the entire time. Listening to them speak about the youth and their vision for sport in India was moving. It was also good to see the coaches again (especially Raja from JAIN School) , and I can honestly say they must be putting the time is because the player skill level is certainly rising! Yes, there is hope for the next generation!

The FIBA Asia women’s championships have provided some great games for us spectators. Chennai put in a brand new floor for the event, and it really makes the stadium look world class! China vs. Korea match had an NCAA tournament-type air to it, and most suspect they will meet again in the final on Thursday. Team India has struggled but it hasn’t ruined the mood for of the BFI and other India sports officials who have been present nor for the FIBA technical staff. One of which has been singing Kareoki for the entire arena during breaks. I couldn’t make this stuff up!

I arrived this morning in Delhi for some business development meetings and preparing for camp here at American Embassy School on October 2-4. . .should be a good one! I am staying at the TAJ Hotel Mansingh, which has to be one of the best hotels in all of India – - The pool is alone is worth the stay!

Lastly, good news is that my partners, George Mason University, Craig Esherick (Former Gtwn Head Coach and 1988 assistant Olympic coach) and professor and former D2 coahc Robert Baker have been awarded Sports Initiative grant by the US Department of State. This eighteen month program will allow for us to foster cultural exchange through sport by conducting in country clincis for coaches- and selecting ten coaches to visit George Mason and undergoing a summer semester of coaching classes. We are hoping to start our program in November.

to read more about india and worldwide please visit us at:

www.jdbasketball.com

www.facebook.com/jdbasketball.india

@jdbasketball (twitter)

SULHITA SURPRISE ISREAL JDBASKETBALL

Sulhita Surprise!


“What’s an Irish Catholic basketball coach from New York doing here? I was asked by local basketball reporter in Tel Aviv late November as we drove North to the 2nd Sulhita in Incense Route Khan near Eilat, Israel. “ You mean, again – right, man? For the best hummus in all of Israel, “, “Ok, Seriously. “, the retort. “There is something in depth and soulful about this place for me. Inshalla (Arabic phrase meaning ‘God Willing’) I want to make a difference,”-- I answered in beat. I think I’m learning something from all these travels. The latest tour was 9 cities in 43 days and it covered as many lands as languages and faiths.

On my first Israel visit in 2003, while walking around the neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, I heard a local apple cart produce sales lady holding a Condoleezza Rice newspaper cover screaming; “Down with A- mer- e- ka!” Frozen by shock- but not fear, I looked over in her eyes and toothless scowl. I did not smile; I did not engage. I sensed real helplessness and rage in her non-and verbal tone. It was it this moment; I began to wonder what makes her think this way? Interestingly enough, this is the third time Condoleezza and I have been in the same region at the same time - - I think she’s following me. ☺. As an American, it has been good to know we have some sort of continual regional strategy and dialogue.

Rabbi Sa’ar the new SULHA director met us. Team JDBASKTBALL included; Roy Mizlik (Rishon/ basketball coach and former IDF soldier http://youtube.com/watch?v=8LkXaKckqC4 ), Itamar Reik, (Macabbi Jr. player), and new to the peace hoop scene, KG(Tel Aviv) straight away off the minivan. In attendance were the usual players including; Ihab and Gaby. I had met the self described Sulha co-founder, hippie Argentine- NY- Israeli –Jewish- musician Gaby on the beach in Bet Yanai a year earlier. And ever since, JDBASKETBALL has become a staple in the yearly event that he (and his best friend) from Joffa, Arab-Muslim- hippie-musician, Ihab created 3 years ago. Since then, over 5000 people from all faiths, and nationalities partake in the three day understanding/ bereavement (part Woodstockesh) multicultural workshop session in the Israeli desert for peace. Additionally, Sulha conducts the Sulhita (mini-Sulha) for 100 (50 Palestine and 50 Israeli) teenaged youth twice a year.

Sulhita Surprise! I think that I get more out of Sulha workshops than the full participants. Soho, Balthazar, Setta Penne, and Harlem felt so distant as introductions were made to the kids. Hugs abundant as we proceeded to sit and partake in the circles of life and absorb the scene and dialogue. Basketball has taken me to the inner and outer reaches of humanity. I thought I’d heard all the stories from the streets of Brooklyn, Kosovo to Joffa and beyond—but never have I been so taken back as when I heard direct from the source. Listening to first hand stories from streets of Gaza and Ramallah and how friends and friends of cousins were being recruited to suicide bomb and the destruction of family homes by missiles is chilling. I heard violent stories from across the border as well. Almost braggart, after all kids will be kids---it was in these moments I saw fresh eyes of both cultures; looks and sensibilities of fear, confusion, terror, compassion and understanding and sentiment. Like, “We are young, we have to live with this, how can we do it—together – respectfully, peacefully? Let’s make a change.“


Sulhita Surprise—Inspiration comes from the strangest of places. A rock/ a pebble in the lake causes a friction— yet it becomes so clear in the desert darkness—things that happen here affect us back home and the liberties we take for safe and peaceful lives.

JDBASKETBALL is a simple operation, we just hoop. Up and down the makeshift court integrating teams, playing games as we go into the cold desert night. I asked for basketballs –we got soccer balls—then volleyballs --- then basketballs. Shooting, Dribbling, Roy teaching, Itimar playing, coaches vs. kids. Setting up team leaders. KG running and taking pictures. Competing together in a protective environment having fun. Like a Banksy mural in on the Palestine wall, we left an impression, a talk-piece to start the weekend and break the ice. Concluding with a Mediterranean feast of vegetables, lamb, humus and mint tea. We left with optimism, and hope thinking, “If they can just play together. . . “, naïve and frieghtingly optimistic. But again, in that moment—the feeling was so real, so apparent, I remember thinking --- does it really matter?

Sulhita Surprised me and reminded me, that we all have checkpoints to manage. Maybe these youth can be a catalyst for change? Maybe they can strand these moments upon moments and realize a little endearing can go a long way at their checkpoints.

Inshalla the world would be better for it!

To donate to the SULHA or SULHITA, please visit www.sulha.com.

Please stay tuned as JDBASKETBALL heads back to Bangalore India, February 5- 12, 2008.

For World Peace,

JD Walsh

www.jdbasketball.com
‘Dialogue for mankind’

jd@jdbasketball.com

India Basketball Kashmir Chinar 'hoops for hope' by: jdbasketball

India Basketball in Kashmir JDBASKETBALL
By india jdbasketball

I am adding some older blog posts that should have gone up a long time ago. . .

For World Peace KASHMIR, CHINAR

Hoops for Health. JDBASKETBALL Dialogue for mankind

Months of anticipation enhanced already infectious enthusiasm as we initiated ‘Hoops for Health’.

Our effort marks the inception of a three-year program designed to aid the pscho-rehabilitation of war-torn orphaned youth. We begin our program at Chinar (www.chinar.org), an orphanage in Srinigar, Kashmir, India.

As I came off the plane I was struck by the breathtaking Kashmir landscape and Himalayan Mountain backdrop coupled with uniformed and armed military presence in the forefront. Our mission, which until that point had been only an idea, became very real to me.

Walking thru the orphanage to meet the children for the first time, I saw the shoes (20 pairs stacked neatly), the bunk beds, the little reading desks, and real family photos on the wall, relics of a complex past. I noticed the live-in housemothers dressed in their colorful parda caring for the children with great concern and devotion. The CHINAR kids are a special group with one touching story after another, such as the seven year-old girl whose entire family died in an earthquake after which she survived for three days, alone in the snow; the two brothers whose blind grandmother could no longer care for them, and on and on. The t-shirts and basketballs we gifted were greatly appreciated by the kids and a nice token, yet I know they deserve and need much more.

Our training ground at the Burn Hall School was located, coincidentally, just a stones throw away from United Nations India / Pakistan War relief building.

Surveying the court, we realized the basket was too high for the children to reach and that we needed a lower goal. Immediately, the ever helpful Athletic Director at Burn Hill said they would build one. Knowing that we had less than 24 hours before starting, I bet my assistant coach (and former Indian National Team Captain) Jai that it would never get done.

I had to pay up! Upon arrival the following afternoon, we were happy to see that a goal was welded on the back of the basketball pole about 6 feet high. It was perfect for the six 9 year-old Chinar kids!

We started the clinic by pointing out the various lines of the court and teaching the kids how to dribble and shoot. Excitedly they giggled, they ran, they listened, they attempted to dribble in a straight line, they tried to shoot on the ‘too high to reach’ goal, they tried to kick the ball, and to run for snacks. They began to learn fundamental basketball!

Although music was discontinued out of respect for the afternoon prayer session at the neighboring mosque, we kept dribbling, laughing, playing, and learning.

“We love jdbasketball!” in broken Kashmiry English was the kids present to the coaches before the start of the second session. It was a touching moment, one I know I would never experience in an office in downtown Manhattan somewhere.

We noticed that they were holding their heads up, smiling more, and showing more self-confidence.

Day 2 was actually a major improvement as the kids became little more calm and focused. We were joined by some older youth from an onsite NGO. The listening improved and dribbling was better. We even began to play some competitive games.

The long journey came to an end with a spectacular trophy ceremony. It suddenly became apparent to me that on the other side of the planet David Stern was welcoming Greg Oden to the podium for the first pick in the NBA draft. For a second I began to wonder what exactly I was doing in this picture. But, by the looks on the CHINAR kids faces, in that moment—I could see they all felt like lottery picks, and that, at least for today, we had brought them that feeling.

Mission accomplished, but it’s just a start!

We are now looking to raise money to hire a part-time coach to work with the kids. Ultimately we would like to see a CHINAR basketball team to play in neighborhood games. We estimate it will cost $300 (USd) per month… if anyone is interested to donate—please email Fozia directly and mention that it’s for “CHINAR Basketball Coach Fund” at foziaqazi@gmail.com

Special thanks to : CHINAR Board Members, Shireen Qadri, Ifran Shahmiri and Fozia Qazi

house mothers Silshada, Shahzada, Igbal, Mustifa

Sayoni from Scholastic Books (Delhi) who have offered to build a library for the house!

Richard Epstein, of New York, NY for his generous donation of basketball books and videos.

Speacial thanks to the Burn Hall school and staff and coach, Jai Menon

And the CHINAR KIDS! Please remember in thoughts and prayers.

Javid,Mohmad,Growhar,Tahir,Arif,Nazir,Fahir,Sajad, Muneeb,Imtiyaz,Nayeem,Mudasir,Saleem,Zubida,Norjhan,

Rubeena, Ishrat,Bisma,Jabeen,Nusrat