History
1. EVOLUTION OF BASKETBALL IN SRI LANKA
Basketball was introduced to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in year 1917 by Mr. Walter Cammak, an American who was the Director of Physical Education of the Central YMCA in Colombo. It was from then the game has spread to other cities and municipalities. The First school to introduce basketball was Ananda College, Colombo in 1927.
Basketball Blossomed in 60’s and 70’s in Sri Lanka and was played by many schools and clubs around the island. This was mainly due to the fact that number of foreign teams toured each year and American coaches and promoters visited and conducted coaching camps and seminars.
However due to lack of dedicated coaches and players, eruption of ethnic problem in 1980’s and closure of ferry service to India has contributed largely to bar the development of basketball in Sri Lanka.
At the SAF games held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1991 SLBF lost a golden opportunity in witness striking either Gold or Silver medal by Women’s team owing to one of the participating countries failing to field their basketball team.
Yet, the interest shown and effort taken by the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation has been instrumental in maintaining the standard of the game.
The time span of the formation of SLBF and affiliation to world bodies
1950 Ceylon Basketball Association was formed
1958 Ceylon Basketball Federation was formed
1959 September, Sri Lanka staged the first ever International Contest Vs Pakistan National
Team.
1959 CBF was admitted to the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA).
1960 Commencement of Annual National Championship for men.
1961 Women’s basketball was introduced.
1962 Obtained membership of the FIBA ASIA. [Then Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC)]
2. SRI LANKA BASKETBALL AS AT TODAY
SLBF is the sole representative of Sri Lanka basketball to FIBA ASIA and FIBA world body. Under its belts there are 26 associations all around the island which includes District Basketball Associations, Mercantile & Public services and Armed Forces. As at today, over 10000 members play this game all over the island.
Basketball is booming throughout Asia and currently is the No 1 Sport and regarded as one of the most popular sports in Asia. Yet Sri Lanka is far behind mainly due to lack of infrastructure, less publicity and to some extent the physical structures of players. It is believe that a good attention to infrastructure, technical know-how and adequate publicity will overcome the main barriers to develop.
It should be noted that in spite of all constraints there are more than 50 tournaments conducted all over Sri Lanka second only to Athletics.
The SLBF is gearing itself to bring basketball to the grassroots in Sri Lanka. The SLBF major events in diverse categories such as Mini, Junior, Youth and Senior include National Schools, Inter District, Mercantile and club championship and numerous special events, training and coaching clinics held across the country. The innovative BASKETBALL 2005 and ‘WE TEACH THE GAME’ clinic have already given hundreds of young players and coaches the chance to improve their skills and realize their basketball dreams. The IOC Solidarity course conducted by FIBA expert coach from Belgium Mr Guy Crevecouver in August 2007 was a very successful where both men & women national teams and over 30 coaches representing all parts of the island were took part.
After 16 long years of absence of hosting international tournaments, SLBF was able to host FIBA MIDDLE ASIA Basketball Championship in May 2007 with the participation of national teams of India, Kazakhstan. The basketball fans were really trilled to witness a high performance of international fame after a long years and the event has tremendously supported to bring basketball more popular.
3. TOURNAMENTS AND MAJOR COMPETITIONS OF SLBF AND AFFILIATES
SLBF
· Sri Lanka Junior National Championship for Men and Women
· Sri Lanka Senior National Championship for Men and Women
· All Island 5 a side tournament
· Tall class competition for youth (boys & Girls)
District Basketball Associations
· Colombo Supper League
· All Island club championship
· Invitational Five aside tournaments
· Herbert Cup and Webber Cup Invitational Tournament organised by the Baticaloa
DBA.
Mercantile Services Basketball Association
· Mercantile 5 a side
· Mercantile Super League
· Semi League/ Knockouts
Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association
· Mini Basketball Tournament (Under 13) for boys & girls
· Under 15, 17, and 19 tournaments for boys and girls
Sri Lanka Universities Sports Association
· Inter faculty basketball tournaments
· Inter university basketball championship for girls and boys
Armed Forces
· Inter command/Regiments/Units competitions
· Invitational tournaments
· Defence services tournament
Sri Lanka Police Basketball Association
· Invitational Basketball tournament (Depot Police Tournament)
· Inter Division basketball tournament
4. ACHIEVEMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL LEVEL
* 2007 – Premila Fernando, one of our national players was adjudged the 2nd best most outstanding player of the 22nd FIBA ASIA Championship for women in Incheon, Korea June 2007
* 2007 – Mr Ajith Kuruppu, the National Coach and Vice President of SLBF was unanimously appointed as the President of FIBA MIDDLE ASIA ZONE in recognition of his services to the Basketball.
* 2006 - 2nd Runner-up in Level II at the 2nd FIBA ASIA Young Women’s Championship in Singapore.
* 2006 - Participated in Knocks Invitational Tournament for Men’s held in Australia.
* 2005 - Won the Silver medal on the Sri Lanka –Indian South Zone Basketball championship (Women’s).
* 2003 – Reach Semi finals in the women’s professional league in Germany.
* 1995 - Won Bronze medal by Men’s team at SAF Games.
* 1991 - Won Bronze medal by Men’s team at SAF Games.
* 1989 - Won Bronze medal by Men’s team at SAF Games.
* 1984 - Selected for the final six teams for the Asian Youth basketball championship (boy).
