NBA Cares Inaugurates Basket Ball Court at St. Dominic Savio's

It was indeed a Red Letter Day for the Institute, as on the 9th December we were privileged to have NBA Cares come to inaugurate the newly refurbrished basketball court that they sponsored. Together with Mr. Harish Sharma, the Secretary General of the BFI (Basketball Federation of India), and Mr. M. Venkatesh a Savio Club basketball member, who was very instrumental in getting us the sponsorship of the NBA, we had the NBA Legend, a seven plus footer, Mr. Dikembe Mutombo himself with us to inaugurate the court.

The NBA Cares logo on the court

NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo 7'2"

Fr. Godfrey D'Souza in his welcome thanked NBA Cares and Mr. Harish Sharma and the sponsors, Tata Consultancy Services and HP for their contribution in making this venture possible for youngsters who have the passion for Basketball.

The event began at 16.00 hours and there were a number of youngsters who had come for this inauguration and clinic after the inauguration. Mr. Dikembe in his speech said that anyone can become a good basketball player but we need to be good human beings who make a difference in the lives of others and society.

Dikembe Mutombo speaking to the crowd

Some of the youngsters present

Some of the girls present for the clinic

After the introductions and speeches we had the unveiling of the plaque by Dikembe Mutombo.

Unveiling of the plaque

Soon after the unveiling we had the NBA representatives who conducted a basketball clinic for all the youngsters who were present on the grounds. We had the boys of St. Dominic Savio's; the girls from Divine Child and Canossa schools who were also present for the clinic. The clinic went on for about an hour.

Training during the clinic

Training during the clinic

Dikembe Mutombo during the clinic

Give me five with one of the participants

With some of our youngsters of Dominic Savio's

Some of the younger participants

Many of those who came for the clinic did receive a memento from Dikembe of his photograph when he played for the Rockets. They were indeed delighted to have something to remember of this great legend of the NBA.

The memento he gave to each youngster