Mahindra NBA Challenge tips off second season in Delhi - 2010-11 Schedule Includes Leagues in a Record Five Cities Across India

The second season of Mahindra NBA challenge tipped off in full swing at New Delhi. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) November 16, 2010 - New Delhi, India -The second season of Mahindra NBA Challenge, the largest multi-city community-based basketball league in India, tipped off today in New Delhi at a press conference attended by Troy Justice, NBA Director of Basketball Operations in India, Mufaddal Choonia, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Strategy, Mahindra & Mahindra and a representative from the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).

Mahindra NBA Challenge was launched in Delhi for the first time. In addition to the Mumbai league, the programme will return to Bangalore and Ludhiana and will be launched in Chennai later this season. For the second year, Adidas will be the official outfitter for the Mahindra NBA Challenge and Spalding will be the official equipment supplier. Each league will wrap up with a basketball celebration on the final weekend, which will include NBA-style entertainment, musical and dance performances from local artists, on court contests and all-star games.

The Mahindra NBA Challenge, conducted in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), provides both basketball enthusiasts and newcomers with the opportunity to learn basketball fundamentals and apply their skills in a fun, competitive environment. This year's program will reach a record five cities in India.

n an effort to provide more players an opportunity to participate this season, the Mahindra NBA Challenge will expand the youth category to include three divisions: Sub-junior for ages 12 and 13, Youth for ages 14 to 16 and Junior for ages 16 to 18. The adult division, ages 19 and over, will tip-off in early January 2011. Games will take place at two venues in Delhi - Bal Bharti Public School
and Delhi Public School (RK Puram).

Speaking on the occasion, Mufaddal Choonia, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Strategy said, "The Mahindra NBA Challenge was a phenomenal success in its first season, which strengthens our belief that Basketball has the potential to be the number two sport in India. Seeing its immense popularity, we have further expanded the youth category and the number of venues to enable more participation by youth eager to be part of the Mahindra NBA Challenge. Its excitement and energy, its inclusive ethos and the positive values that Mahindra, the NBA and the BFI share make it perfectly suited to making a lasting, positive impact on our youth and our communities."

The inaugural Mahindra NBA Challenge, held from April to June 2010 attracted thousands of participants including members of India's Men's National Basketball Team. NBA All-Star Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Legend AC Green and WNBA Legend Teresa Edwards travelled to Mumbai this past summer to run clinics for participants and coaches of the Mahindra NBA Challenge.

"The NBA is committed to growing basketball in India and the Mahindra NBA Challenge is our most comprehensive program designed to increase participation and excitement for the game," said NBA

Director of International Development in India Akash Jain. "Through the dedication of our great partners at Mahindra and the BFI, we are able to expand the program this year and we are thrilled to once again tip off the program in Mumbai."

"The Mahindra NBA Challenge has played a key role in the growth of basketball in India over the past year," said Secretary General of BFI Harish Sharma. "We are exited to work with the NBA and Mahindra to build on the momentum of the first season and help develop even more talent as we expand to five cities in India."

About the NBA

The NBA, founded in 1946, is a professional sports league and global business that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada. During the 2010-11 season, NBA games will reach 215 countries and territories in more than 40 languages. This season, NBA opening night rosters featured 84 players from 38 countries and territories. NBA merchandise is sold in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA.com averages more than 26 million page views per day, with more than 50 percent of the site's visitors coming from outside of North America. Through NBA Cares, the league, its teams and players have donated more than $145 million to charity, completed more than 1.4 million hours of hands-on community service, and created more than 525 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play.

About The Mahindra Group

Mahindra embarked on its journey in 1945 by assembling the Willys Jeep in India and is now a US $7.1 billion Indian multinational. It employs over 1,00,000 people across the globe and enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, tractors and information technology, with a significant and growing presence in financial services, tourism, infrastructure development, trade and logistics. The Mahindra Group today is an embodiment of global excellence and enjoys a strong corporate brand image.

Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world. It is today a full-range player with a presence in almost every segment of the automobile industry, from two-wheelers to CVs, UVs, SUVs and sedan. Mahindra recently acquired a majority stake in REVA Electric Car Co Ltd. (now called Mahindra REVA), strengthening its position in the Electric Vehicles domain.

The Mahindra Group expanded its IT portfolio when Tech Mahindra acquired the leading global business and information technology services company, Satyam Computer Services. The company is now known as Mahindra Satyam.

Mahindra is also one of the few Indian companies to receive an A+ GRI checked rating for its first Sustainability Report for the year 2007-08 and has also received the A+ GRI rating for the year 2008- 09.

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