Basketball Federation of India, in consultation with its marketing partner IMG-Reliance, has selected Bhubaneswar to conduct the School and College League (SCL) this year in August. According to Odisha Basketball Association secretary Ashok Sahu, SCLs are IMGR and BFI`s major grassroots initiatives for the long-term development of basketball in the country.

SportzConsult, a sports management company, has been appointed by IMGR-BFI to assist the conduct of the SCLs at least one city per state in the next three years and every major city across India in the long run.

The Bhubaneswar SCL will feature a minimum of 24 school teams, including eight for girls and 22 college teams, including six for girls. Title winners in each category will qualify to compete in the National League. The venue and other logistics of the Bhubaneswar SCL will be finalised later this month.

``SCL is a commendable programme for the development basketball at the grassroots level. OBA secretary Ashok Sahu deserves credit for bringing this event to Bhubaneswar,`` said BSCL coordinator Prasant Nayak.