OTTAWA, Kan. – Three members of the Ottawa University men’s basketball team had the opportunity to travel overseas to help launch India’s first professional basketball league, Indian National Basketball League (INBL). Associate head coach Jamie Batish and men’s basketball players, Angok Anyang and Jayden Hibbitt were invited by the CEO of the league, Parveen Batish, to take part in the launching of the INBL.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us all and it was such a great experience,” said Batish. “We were honored to represent Ottawa University on a national level and I could not have been prouder of the way Jayden and Anyang performed. I also would like to thank the INBL and Parveen Batish for inviting us. I hope to continue the relationship to create great experiences for our student-athletes.”
The celebration started on May 10 with a press conference, celebrity appearances, and an exhibition game in which Anyang and Hibbitt played, and Batish coached. The exhibition game was to help promote the new league and the game of basketball in India.
The two teams that played in the exhibition game were between the top players from India and 10 players from Australia and the United States that were been invited to attend. “Thank you to all the coaches and volunteers who helped me go on this trip, I am truly grateful,” said Hibbitt. “This was a blessing to get a first-hand experience of where I want to be in the future and see a whole new place in the world I have never been.”
Batish took part in a training camp that was held, before the start of the league, assisting with coaching. Hibbitt and Anyang also took part in the training camp.
“Thank you to all the staff, and everyone involved in making this amazing experience happen,” said Anyang. “I can’t express enough how much I enjoyed it, how amazing the fans were, and the overall atmosphere was.”
Off the basketball court, the trio were able to explore and experience the culture of India. They attended local markets and temples in the area.