Indian Basketball Adventures continue…. Savio Cup

Indian Basketball Adventures continue…. Savio Cup







First off, what can I say, I love Bombay basketball! The atmosphere, the characters, the movement.

While we were running around Dharavi, down the road in Matunga at Don Bosco was the 6th annual Savio Cup.

How can I not love the community that houses the same crew that was there on my first Bombay clinic August in 2007.

This is the fourth straight year I have made it to the prestigious Savio Cup @ Don Bosco School. There’s nothing like an Indian on stilts trying to dunk a basketball and 12 yr old kids trying their best Bollywood impressions to a Punjabi background beat. Divinity works in amazing ways!

The basketball is ever improving and it was a great tournament and in the end it was Indian Railways — the best team in India – coached by arguably the best coach in India Ram Kumar and best young player in India, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi who beat the makeshift American team (lead by 43 year old Marathon man, David Jones) in an exciting game. The womans side was taken by who else but, Southern Railways Geethu Anna Jose + friends.

How can you not love a community that talks all week about the Sunday morning game (that I finally came out of retirement and made an appearance too). Joining me was the same crew that was there on my first Bombay clinic August in 2007.

It was nice to see all the old friends and some new.

Father Crispini, Father Bosco, MV, Harish, the Sunday Morning Don Bosco Crew, Vinod, Minoj, Aparna, Babo, AB, Govind, Prashant, NBA’s Troy Justice and Akash Jain, Jai, and of course, the effervescent Ms. Malini! (Sorry if I missed anyone!)

MIzoram Basketball

I had this conversation about 10 times before I left.
“So, JD. Where are you going next?”
me: “Mizoram (AHM)”
“wheere? “
me: “Mizor (AHM)”
“wheere?”
me: “Mizor(ahm) – Northeast India – near Assam and Bangladesh, one of the seven sisters, you need a special visa for tourists – Mizoram” …
“Oh…Mizoram (IM) … you mean MizorIMMMM….
Its very, very beautiful there! “
Me: “Really, have you been there?”
“No, no. I have never been there exactly, but I am sure it is very, very beautiful and amazing. It is safe now, only. You are lucky! What are you doing there?”
Me: “Basketball”
“Why? Do they play basketball there? A lot of mountains and goats.”
Me: “I guess I am going to find out!” (Goats????)
I first met KC when I conducted a program at Sports Authority of India (For US Department of State), NSINIS in Patiella where he was studying to become a basketball coach. Thanks to the facebookization of India, he continually kept asking for me to visit his city. As life happens, I bumped into KC and his Mizoram gang at the Jr. National Championships in Vashi, New Mumbai. I had time between programs in New Delhi so I packed and got ready for the adventure.
I was the first foreigner coach Mizoram Basketball Association ever invited.
After a 10-hour trip from Delhi to Calcutta to Aziwal (with a stop in Assam, remind me to blog on the old Delhi domestic India Air airport on another day – if you can AVOID the 7am flight out of this terminal- DO IT!) I was greeted at the airport with smiles and red roses. We went to register at the visitor booth and at security departure and off we embarked on the 50km route thru the ‘Blue Mountain” to Arizawl.
Large mountains consumed the backdrops and primitive bamboo homes were the in front. I saw little arms and legs draped outside wrapped blankets on the backs of the women as they worked. Young children were playing off the highway — it worried me they were in harms way. I kept thinking, where am I?
The mountains were truly breathtaking and it was refreshing to see there no Ashrams, or westerns walking around in maroon robes, no 7 star Oberois, no McDonalds, and no Thomas Friedman’s — there world here is still ROUND and I suspect remain unchanged for a long time. I kept thinking where am I ?
During the drive, host Charla was singing the Beatles “long and windy road” when Mala’s cell phone would ring (that like every 2 minutes) ring tone Kanye West “stronger” as we rode the windy roads. I kept thinking where am I?
The topography changed distinctly as I entered into the city limits.
Aizwal, Mizarom reminds me of Srinagar, Kashmir — a bit Swiss Family Robinesque; a city nestled in the mountains. All of the homes were built are vertical into the mountainside.
I had seen the Dhala Lama the week before and naive to Northeast India, and had grandiose visions of stumbling into some Buddhist Monks hooping in some sacred grounds (and me calling ‘next’.) Interestingly enough though, 95% of the people in Mizoram are Christian. Christian bookstores and churches were in every 360-degree view.
The Mizos (Mi= People, Zo= Hill) do not speak Hindi- just Mizo and English and its not Bollywood films they enjoy — it’s Korean!
Mizoram is very different than any I have traveled to in India. I saw no one dressed in kurta, very few Hindu statues or banners with politician’s faces. Very Few cars honked as they sat in traffic. It is the # 2 most literate state in India and a dry state. The Mizos have an Asian type look and are very up to date with American fashion and music.

According to WIKIPEDIA:
The origin of the Mizos, like those of many other tribes in the northeastern India, is shrouded in mystery. The generally accepted view is that they are of Mongol descents and were part of a great wave of migration from China and later moved out to India to their present habitat. It is possible that the Mizos came from Sinlung or Chhinlungsan located on the banks of the Yalung River in China, first settled in the Shan State and moved on in the middle of the 16th century to Kabaw Valley, Khampat, Tahan and the Chin Hills. The earliest Mizos who migrated to India were known as Kukis. Mizo history in the 18th and 19th century.
As we started to drive into town, what I saw amazed me… Kids dribbling basketballs up a huge hill. Hmm, wow must be a fluke – 8 separate instances – ball in hand. Kids rocking Boston Celtics Book bags, Celtic sweatshirts, Celtics hats 0 — wow the ghost of red Aurbach? Who could have predicted a traffic jam taking over in hour in such a small town?
Learn a new culture! BTW they eat dogs and fried frogs here as a delicacy (no I did not try….) A lot of hilly walks, the traffic is so bad here – best to take a two wheeler – um, down THAT hill? The shower had hot water for like 18 seconds (and it took me two days to figure out how to get it started) but after the Westerness rubbed off I realized — this place is AMAZING! India always brings me back to a sense of humanness.
After a short respite in a modest hotel – with amazing chai (some of the best in India!) We hit to the courts.

What I found was what the Mizos lacked in height, they gained in endurance and speed. There basketball were worn, there shoes were worn – these guys loved to play! Unlike all my India stops, I can see from the initial ball handling drills they have seen them all before and the have been practicing.
One guy even wore a St. Mary’s practice jersey – at St. John the Baptist they were in our league and we hated them – how on earth did he get that?

For a coach it’s exciting to watch new players work so hard, I watched them go thru the sessions, learning smiling but taking the game very serious. We conducted four days of training/ promotion here. Most of the training was completed large group skill work – and 2 classes just for coaches. Each day we got up about 200 shots, and worked on important fundamentals such as jump stop, pivoting and balance. By the end, we had put in a triangle type offense and a few new plays. I trained the coaches on what to look for, how to explain certain drills and we had long talks on basketball philosophy and India basketball. I was happy with the improvement – -I think the Mizo coaches were too!
As most teams run none here in India, we did a Skype call with legendary NBA head coach, Don Casey – who gets big kudos for an early AM San Diego wake time. Besides being a great teacher – he loves the game.
One of the most memorable parts of the program was on the last evening, the Mizoram basketball Association held an entertainment night. Three Mizo celebrities (Mami Varte, Mimi Renthlei and Michael M Sailo -5 year old boy!) came out and sang and rapped for us and about 250 school children. That was fun.
I was touched as all the guys drove me out to the airport, and was intrigued to hear they guys talk about the political/social/economic relationship between Mizoram and India.

The Mizo code of ethics or dharma focused on “Tlawmngaihna“, an untranslatable term meaning that it was the obligation of all members of society to be hospitable, kind, unselfish, and helpful to others. Tlawmngaihna to a Mizo stands for that compelling moral force which finds expression in self-sacrifice for the service of others. The old belief, Pathian, is still used to mean God. Mizos often gather together to help in disaster management like landslides or famine. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizoram
My guests were the true example of TLAWMNGAIHNA!
THANK YOU!
Chalroranga (Charlo), Malssuimzuala (Mala), K.C. Lallianthuango (KC), H. Laldinsanga (Marvin), Lalruatfela (Arfela), Big Guy, & Lalrina Renthlei

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