Ahmedabad: Gujarat is strengthening its presence on the global sporting map, with Ahmedabad set to host the FIBA U18 Asia Basketball Cup 2026 from August 13 to 23 at the state-of-the-art Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura.
The tournament will bring together the top U18 teams from 16 Asia-Oceania countries, competing for the continental title as well as qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
A proud moment for Gujarat will be the presence of three Gujaratis in the Indian U18 men’s team setup. Bhavnagar-born basketball player Ronaldo Hopkins has earned a place in the final 12-member squad, while experienced coach Narendra Desai has been named assistant coach and Dr Kunal Chudasama will serve as the lead physiotherapist.
From Grassroots Development to the National Team
The inclusion of the three Gujarat-based talents highlights the growing sporting ecosystem in the state. Initiatives such as Khel Mahakumbh, District Level Sports Schools (DLSS), Shaktidoot and academy programmes have played a role in providing opportunities and support to emerging athletes.
Ronaldo Hopkins began playing basketball at school level in Class 7 before progressing through local clubs, state-level competitions and national teams. His mother was also a national-level basketball player, giving him an early connection with the sport.
The Bhavnagar-born player was part of India’s team at the South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) qualifying championship in Sri Lanka in May 2026, where India emerged victorious.
Speaking about his journey, Hopkins said that government assistance, financial support, sports nutrition and world-class facilities have helped him take his game to the next level. Representing India in an Asia Cup on his home ground, he said, is now his primary goal.
Gujarat’s Sports Infrastructure Earns Praise
The international-level infrastructure at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex has also received praise from coaches associated with the Indian U18 men’s team.
Head coach Paramdeep Singh described the complex as one of India’s best facilities and praised its international-standard infrastructure and sporting environment.
Assistant coaches from states including Tamil Nadu and Kerala also appreciated the facilities and atmosphere available to players in Ahmedabad.
The developments are being seen as a major step towards positioning Ahmedabad and Gujarat as destinations capable of hosting major international sporting events.
India to Face Japan in Opening Match
The championship will feature 16 teams, including India, Australia, Bahrain, China, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lebanon, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand.
India’s group-stage campaign will see the team face Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan.
- August 14, 2026: India vs Japan
- Group-stage opponents: Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan
- August 23, 2026: Tournament Final
The championship is being organised jointly by FIBA Asia, the Government of Gujarat, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and the Gujarat State Basketball Association.
Organisers have appealed to sports enthusiasts across Gujarat to attend the matches in large numbers and support the Indian team.
Ronaldo Hopkins Hopes to Inspire Gujarat’s Young Basketball Players
For Ronaldo Hopkins, the tournament is more than just another international assignment. Playing in front of a home crowd in Ahmedabad gives the young basketball player an opportunity to inspire children and youngsters across Gujarat.
Having progressed from school and local club basketball to the national team, Hopkins credits the state’s sporting support system for helping him meet the demands of elite-level competition.
He believes that the combination of financial assistance, professional nutrition, training facilities and sports-science support has helped him develop as an athlete.
With India preparing to take on Asia’s best U18 teams in Ahmedabad, Hopkins will now look to make the most of the home-court advantage and deliver a performance that can inspire the next generation of basketball players in Gujarat.
