Prime Minister Narendra Modi was all in praise for the ongoing NBA India Games on Saturday and even hailed it as a “historic day for sports in India and India-US relations.”
NBA teams Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers are currently touring India on a pre-season tour of India. The first match of the two games played as part of the NBA initiative was played at the NSCI Dome on Friday while the second match was played on Saturday.
“Yesterday was a historic day for sports in India and India-USA relations. Mumbai hosted the first ever @NBA match played in India. The game between @Pacers and @SacramentoKings was a treat for sports lovers. Congratulations to both teams for a riveting contest. #NBAIndiaGames (sic.),” PM Modi tweeted on Saturday.
Yesterday was a historic day for sports in India and India-USA relations. Mumbai hosted the first ever @NBA match played in India. The game between @Pacers and @SacramentoKings was a treat for sports lovers. Congratulations to both teams for a riveting contest. #NBAIndiaGames
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 5, 2019
“Basketball is very popular among our youth. The @NBA matches set the stage or rather set the court for greater linkages in sports. I hope more youngsters pursue basketball and also contribute to the Fit India Movement. #NBAIndiaGames,” he added.
Basketball 🏀 is very popular among our youth. The @NBA matches set the stage, or rather set the court for greater linkages in sports. I hope more youngsters pursue basketball and also contribute to the Fit India Movement. #NBAIndiaGames
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 5, 2019
The first match of this NBA India initiative was played in front of as many as 3000 kids from 70 schools, all of whom are part of the Reliance Foundation’s NBA programme. The second match was played out in front of a capacity crowd.