Indian-origin NBA player Sim Bhullar to visit India in May

Sim Bhullar, who became the first Indian-origin player to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the US, will visit India from May 2 to 7 to promote basketball and inspire children to stay active and healthy by playing the game.

The seven-feet-five-inch-tall centre player will help train the top 140 youth from across India who participated in the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA programme, the NBA's premier grassroots event.

"I am very excited to travel to India to see firsthand how basketball's popularity has grown and to meet young basketball players across the country," the 22-year-old Bhullar said.

"Hopefully sharing my story will help inspire young Indians to pursue their dreams on and off the court, just as I have," the basketball player said.

Bhullar will first travel to Mumbai on May 2 to interact with fans, tour the city and appear on Sony SIX's IPL Extra Innings show on May 3.

He will then travel to Noida to inaugurate the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA Elite National Camp on May 4.

On May 5, Bhullar will travel to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple and Pingalwara, a home for individuals suffering from incurable and terminal diseases, to which Bhullar's family will make a contribution.

On May 6, he will visit Chandigarh to conduct a Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA clinic for 150 children at New Public School.

Bhullar will then return to Noida on May 7 to celebrate the final day of the camp, that will focus on skill training, competitions, games, fitness training and team building exercises.

The camp will promote health, fitness and an active lifestyle through basketball, and teaches the values of the game such as teamwork, sacrifice, discipline, dedication and sportsmanship.