PT Usha meets FIBA chief at CWG 2026 to boost India basketball
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, IOA President PT Usha sat down with FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis — a meeting that signals India is moving beyond participation in basketball toward building a structured global partnership. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, this could mark the start of a more deliberate institutional push for the sport.
Key Takeaways
IOA President PT Usha met FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis in Glasgow on 25 July 2026 .
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games 2026 .
Discussions covered strengthening India-FIBA collaboration , athlete development pathways, and basketball's growth in India.
Usha reaffirmed the IOA 's intent to work alongside FIBA on both domestic and global basketball promotion.
No formal agreement was announced; the meeting is seen as groundwork for future structured cooperation.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha met FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 25 July, with both sides exploring ways to deepen cooperation for the development of basketball in India and expand opportunities for Indian athletes on the global stage.
What Was Discussed
The meeting brought together the IOA chief and senior leaders of the international basketball community. Discussions centred on strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and FIBA, building clearer pathways for athlete development, and broadening India's engagement with the sport's global governing body.
Usha underscored the IOA's commitment to working alongside FIBA to accelerate basketball's growth within the country. 'Our discussions focused on strengthening collaboration for the development of basketball, expanding opportunities for athletes, and advancing our shared commitment to the growth of the sport,' she said.
India's Growing Basketball Ambitions
Basketball has been receiving increasing attention within India's sporting ecosystem in recent years, with ongoing efforts to improve grassroots structures, athlete development programmes, and international exposure. The CWG 2026 sidelines meeting signals a more structured push by Indian sports administrators to build institutional ties with global federations.
This comes amid a broader trend of the IOA actively engaging with international sporting bodies to fast-track India's competitiveness across multiple disciplines — a priority that has intensified ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Usha's Remarks on Cooperation
Reflecting on the interaction, PT Usha expressed optimism about the road ahead. 'I look forward to continued cooperation in promoting basketball in India and contributing to its global development,' she said. She also shared her sentiments on social media platform X, describing the meeting as significant for the sport's future in the country.
What Comes Next
While no formal agreement was announced, the meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for structured collaboration between the IOA and FIBA on athlete pathways, coaching frameworks, and potential bilateral competitions. Indian basketball stakeholders will be watching closely for follow-through in the months ahead.
Point of View
Coaching exchange programmes, or a defined pathway for Indian players into FIBA competitions. India's basketball infrastructure remains underdeveloped relative to its population and athletic talent pool, and goodwill meetings, however high-profile, have a mixed track record of producing structural change. The real test will come in the months after Glasgow.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PT Usha meet FIBA's Secretary General at CWG 2026?
IOA President PT Usha met FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis on 25 July 2026 on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to discuss strengthening cooperation for basketball development in India and expanding opportunities for Indian athletes at the international level.
What did the IOA and FIBA discuss at the meeting?
The two sides discussed avenues to deepen collaboration on basketball's development in India, build clearer athlete development pathways, and advance their shared commitment to growing the sport both domestically and on the international stage.
Was any formal agreement signed between IOA and FIBA?
No formal agreement was announced following the meeting. The discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for future structured cooperation, with stakeholders awaiting concrete follow-through in the coming months.
How does this meeting fit into India's broader sports strategy?
The meeting is part of a wider IOA effort to build institutional ties with international sporting federations, particularly with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in view. Basketball has been receiving growing attention in India's sporting ecosystem, with ongoing investments in grassroots and athlete development programmes.
