NBA launches web, mobile sites in India

USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced the launch of its official online and mobile sites for India. The new sites will offer live games, video highlights, select Hindi content, player blogs and original columns from two India-based NBA journalists. The journalists, Ayaz Memon and Sahil Sharma, will contribute columns throughout the NBA season.
The online site, www.nba.com/india, will feature a live game broadcast every Thursday morning in India throughout the season. The NBA season is starting from December 17, 2009 and will go on till April 14, 2010.The mobile site, m.nba.com/India, will provide access to the latest NBA news, scores and standings. The sites are being launched in association with local NBA marketing partners, Hewlett-Packard and Reebok.
The online site will promote weekly live telecasts of NBA games and TV schedules and game matchup information will also be showcased on the site. Fans in India can also access up to 40 games each week. The online site will also feature blogs from NBA stars.
The NBA is working with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to help educate basketball enthusiasts on the basics of the game through the website and grass roots events. According to BFI, basketball has more than four million active participants in India. “There is a great appetite for basketball across India and the sites will offer Indian fans the opportunity to learn more about the NBA and basketball in India. Basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in India and this exciting launch will help to continue to grow this great game,” said Harish Sharma, secretary general, BFI, in a statement.
Heidi Ueberroth, president of NBA International, said in the statement, “As the NBA’s fan base in India continues to grow, we are delighted to be working with our local partners to provide this unique digital experience.”
Currently there are 12 NBA websites in India, China, Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Hong Kong. The NBA, founded in 1946, is a professional sports league that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada.