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Matic's statement must be taken seriously by the authorities if they want the sport to grow.
Veselin Matic, the head coach of the Indian men's national basketball team, has a clear message for the country. He believes that basketball needs a significant change in mindset if the sport is to flourish. Matic, a seasoned coach with extensive international experience, believes basketball in India is currently viewed as a "labour game".
What he means is that it is seen as a highly demanding activity with limited rewards. This perspective, according to Matic, hinders the sport's growth at various levels. "This is labour for the players. They work in some companies and if someone calls, they go and play for the national team. This is not how it should work. They are not semi-professionals. They have to be different," he opined.
He noted that if the attitude had to change, the government would have to play a significant part. He pointed to the fact that the centre has been helping in the development of other sports but basketball is not treated in the same manner. "The government must help in this regard. Basketball is an important game for society. The government is extending its support to sports like wrestling and shooting because they win medals. But basketball is a game that is important for society. We also deserve some attention,” he said.
Serbian Basketball Coach calls for increased funding to propel Indian Basketball forward
He then shed light on the funding towards the sport or lack thereof. He explained that interest would continue to be less or even diminish further if the players and management had to spend on their own. "Last year the amount allocated for basketball was only Rs 2.5 crores. It was only enough to pay the salary of the coaching staff. The boys of the federation had to spend money from their own pockets to organize tournaments and training camps. This needs to change. Financial stability is very important," the Serbian added.
Matic's call for a change in mindset is a crucial step towards propelling Indian basketball forward. By fostering a culture that values the sport, invests in its growth, and offers a viable career path, India can unlock its true potential in the world of basketball.