Warangal Stallions, Vikarabad Mambas, Nizam Royals Crowned Champions as TJBL finals
Hyderabad, June 29 (TNT): The inaugural edition of the Telangana Junior Basketball League (TJBL), billed as India’s first franchise-based junior basketball league, concluded here on Sunday night with Warangal Stallions, Vikarabad Mambas and Nizam Royals emerging champions in different categories.
In the Under-18 Boys final, Warangal Stallions edged past Vikarabad Mambas 79-77 to lift the title, while Vikarabad Mambas defeated Warangal Stallions 63-52 to win the Under-15 Girls championship.
Nizam Royals clinched the Under-18 Girls title with a 73-66 victory over Nalgonda Speed Strikers, while Vikarabad Mambas dominated the Under-15 Boys final, defeating Nalgonda Speed Strikers 101-69.
Krish starred in the Under-15 Boys final with a remarkable 72-point performance, while Shreetej scored 29 points to steer Warangal Stallions to the Under-18 Boys title.
Geetha scored 30 points in the Under-15 Girls final for Vikarabad Mambas, while Bhavana contributed 25 points in Nizam Royals’ Under-18 Girls triumph.
Sports Authority of Telangana Chairman K. Shiva Sena Reddy presented the trophies and awards at the valedictory function, along with Telangana Basketball Association (TBA) President Ravula Sridhar Reddy, General Secretary A. Prudhvishwar Reddy, Chairman Masood Bin Ahmad Zakir and Treasurer N. Chandrasekhar.
Addressing the players, Shiva Sena Reddy urged them to aim for national and international success and assured continued support from the Telangana Government for talented sportspersons.
Sridhar Reddy described the successful conduct of TJBL as a landmark for basketball in Telangana and said the league was launched to identify young talent and provide them with a professional platform.
He said three players from Telangana—Viha Reddy, Jonnalagadda Nethra B and Saanvi K—had already represented India at the international level, inspiring the next generation of players.
Prudhvishwar Reddy said the association would continue to organise more leagues, competitions and development programmes to strengthen the basketball ecosystem in the state.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Aaradhya, Krish, Bhavana and Aadvik were adjudged the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) in their respective categories.
Final Results:
Under-18 Boys: Warangal Stallions 79 bt Vikarabad Mambas 77.
Under-15 Girls: Vikarabad Mambas 63 bt Warangal Stallions 52.
Under-18 Girls: Nizam Royals 73 bt Nalgonda Speed Strikers 66.
Under-15 Boys: Vikarabad Mambas 101 bt Nalgonda Speed Strikers 69.
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