ACTOR & VJ RANNVIJAY FELICITATED THE WINNERS AT THE NATIONAL FINALS OF NBA JAM POWERED BY JABONG.COM IN PUNE
The largest 3-on-3 college basketball and youth festival ever held in India, NBA Jam powered by Jabong.com, traveled to Pune today for its national finals. NBA Jam traveled to 16 cities with over 3,000 teams participating across the country. The NBA and SONY SIX partnered to bring the event back to India for the second consecutive year.
Actor and VJ Rannvijay Singh felicitated the winners at the National Finals of NBA Jam at Wadia College of Commerce, Pune. He was seen engaging youth to drive participation in the event. Rannvijay, best known for hosting Roadies, played basketball at the national level and is a self-described NBA fanatic.
32 teams from 16 cities - 16 boys’ and 16 girls’ team – travelled to Ness Wadia College of Commerce in Pune to battle it out in the 3-on-3 national finals. With over 600 colleges participating nationwide, NBA Jam powered by Jabong.com was the largest 3-on-3 tournament ever to take place in the country. The national champion will qualify to compete in the 2015 FIBA Asia 3-on-3 World Tour.
The traveling interactive basketball festival is focused on growing and eliciting participation in basketball across India by combining exciting on-court competition with interactive games and contests designed to engage college youth and grow the NBA’s fan base. More than 600 colleges across India will be engaged in order to drive awareness and generate registration for
NBA Jam powered by Jabong.com. NBA talent, including a legend, dance team and mascot, will travel to select cities to engage fans.
“NBA Jam powered by Jabong.com will be bigger than ever this year, and we look forward to bringing the NBA experience to college students and youth in these 16 cities,” said Yannick Colaco, Managing Director, NBA India. “From the largest ever 3-on-3 tournament ever held in India to shooting and graffiti competitions, I know sports fans across India will be excited to participate.”
Commenting on this initiative, Mr. Praveen Sinha, Founder and MD, Jabong.com said, “Following our association with the NBA that started earlier this year, we have seen a great response from our customers who are fashion and sports-oriented. We are yet again elated to join the NBA for these events, which again give us an opportunity to showcase how Jabong is contributing to the basketball enthusiasts in the country and increasing awareness of the sport. We extend our full support to the NBA’s initiative.”
Mr. Prasana Krishnan, Business Head, SONY SIX said, “We take immense pride in partnering with the NBA in bringing the second season of NBA JAM to India. Last year we went to 4 cities with this remarkable format and caught the imagination of many Indian sports enthusiasts. It is this overwhelming response, which propelled us to return this year taking this cultural extravaganza to 16 cities. With a remarkable format, NBA Jam will not only boost basketball participation in the country, but also strengthen the footprint of sports and drive viewership for NBA programs available exclusively on SONY SIX.”
The 3-on-3 national tournament, part of NBA 3X events conducted in 14 countries and 52 cities this year, will include divisions for both men and women ages 16-24.
Jabong.com is the new powered by partner for NBA Jam, powering the online event registration and microsite: www.Jabong.com/nbajam. Jabong.com will create an NBAStore.in experience zone at each NBA Jam venue that will feature the latest NBA merchandise and exciting games to engage youth.
Sprite, the official beverage partner of NBA Jam, will provide students with the opportunity to be a part of its digital activation: Sprite Till I Die. Young graffiti artists will have the chance to take part in the Sprite Graffiti Challenge and win exciting prizes. The artists will have the option to upload their work on www.spritetillidie.com to take part in Sprite Till I Die Art.
Adidas, the official outfitter of NBA Jam, will provide players with jerseys for the 3-on-3 tournament. In addition, adidas will bring back the “adidas Hoopstars” shooting competition to find the best shooter in each city, who will earn the latest, cutting edge adidas basketball gear.
NBA Jam powered by Jabong.com will feature a variety of exciting contests to engage students:
Jabong.com NBA College Ambassador program – Jabong and the NBA are looking for the biggest NBA fan in each city. Fans in each city can register to be a part of the contest by posting an image of themselves on the NBA India Facebook page and Twitter using the #JabongNBAicon hashtag. Participants that generate the most “likes” and “retweets” will win in their respective city. Winners from each city will receive exclusive NBA merchandise and be entered into a national competition to find India’s biggest NBA ambassador.
Jabong.com Internship Challenge – Jabong will provide one talented student with the opportunity to intern at the company’s headquarters in Gurgoan. To qualify, participants in each city can submit an application on Jabong.com. The 16 city winners will interview with Jabong’s senior management, after which one winner will receive a three-month internship.
Head-to-head dance and war of the DJ competitions will take place at each venue, allowing students to showcase their skills.
SONY SIX, the NBA’s broadcast partner in India, aired a record 14 games per week during the 2013-14 season, up from four the previous season. More than 50 million viewers tuned into NBA programs during the season, with an average per game viewership increase of 300 percent year over year.
Jabong.com, India’s leading sports, fashion and lifestyle destination, and the NBA’s e-commerce partner in India, receives more than 30 million unique visitors per months and delivers to more than 400 cities, towns and villages. NBAStore.in has the most comprehensive product assortment ever available to fans in India.
