Guwahati, Jan. 13: The North East Basketball Academy, inaugurated here today, was just what the doctor ordered for a sport that has not progressed as much as it should have in the region.

“There is a dearth of basketball players in the Northeast. So this academy, under the Basketball Federation of India, will seek to groom talent, picked from across the region, and produce players who can make a mark at the international level. Already, we have selected six players from Assam, two from Meghalaya, four from Tripura, two from Manipur and two from Mizoram,” Mukut Medhi, the secretary general of the academy’s committee and BFI vice-president, said.

The academy will provide accommodation to 10 boys and 10 girls (in the age group of 14 to 18 years) each in the residential and day boarding sections respectively.

The federation has collaborated with the National Basketball Association, USA, for a talent hunt in the Northeast.

“A team will also visit the schools and villages, and handpick players based on their height and skill,” Medhi said.

The academy will enjoy the services of chief coach Kenny Nutt, who is an NBA coach, and four guest coaches.

There will be two residential coaches and two assistant trainers as well. A sports psychologist, doctor and a gym trainer have also been appointed.

On the cost of running the academy in Hengerabari, he said, “Rs 15 lakh will be required annually to run the academy for which we have tied up with IMG Reliance. We will run the academy with a corpus fund formed from donations of the committee members till March. Thereafter, the BFI will take over the cost facilities such as training, players’ lodging, medical, transport, gym, kits, exposure trips, et al. However, the food expenses will have to be borne by the trainee,” he said, adding that a report will have to be submitted by March 31 to the BFI for the requisite funds.

“Apart from the Hengerabari facility, the courts of Maligaon and Sarusajai will be used on rent,” Medhi added.

The Sports Authority of India has not included basketball in the list of disciplines under its special area games scheme, which is a limitation.

“We have requested SAI to include the sport under the scheme so that more players play and excel in the discipline,” he said.