Global Basketball Stars Ignite Young Talent at VIBGYOR’s Elite Camp Across India

The thunder of dribbling balls and shouts of determined young athletes echoed across four Indian cities last month as Olympic basketball player Marta Canella and FIBA silver-medalist coach Bernat Canut Font transformed courts into classrooms of excellence. From July 22 to August 3, 2025, over 350 student-athletes aged 10-18 immersed themselves in the Marta & Bernat International Hoops camp—a pioneering initiative by VIBGYOR Group of Schools and Olympia Sportz & Events. Spanning Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, with inspirational sessions extending to Nagpur, this elite basketball camp delivered world-class training rarely seen in Indian school sports programs.

How Can Elite Basketball Camps Elevate Athletic Potential?

High-performance camps bridge the gap between local training and global standards. At VIBGYOR’s intensive sessions, participants moved beyond basic drills into advanced tactical simulations, real-time gameplay analysis, and personalized mentorship. Coach Bernat Canut Font—recognized globally for his FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup silver medal—integrated European techniques with mental conditioning, emphasizing decision-making under pressure. Marta Canella, drawing from her Olympic experience, demonstrated how footwork and spatial awareness create scoring opportunities. Students received immediate feedback during scrimmages, turning theoretical knowledge into muscle memory. As Kevin Mathew Lalu, VIBGYOR’s Head of Basketball noted, “Interacting with global athletes gave students a fresh perspective. This accelerates India’s basketball growth by nurturing fundamentals early.”

Beyond the Court: Life Skills and Nationwide Inspiration

The camp’s impact extended far beyond layups and defensive stances. In Nagpur, Canella and Canut hosted motivational talks sharing their journeys through injury setbacks and international competitions. “Sport teaches perseverance applicable everywhere,” Canella emphasized to hundreds of students. VIBGYOR’s commitment to inclusivity shone through as non-participating students engaged with the icons—many encountering elite athletes for the first time. Shaji Kuttiani, Director of Sports at VIBGYOR, highlighted this holistic vision: “We sparked a culture where discipline and teamwork transcend sports. Students left believing they could compete globally.” The initiative’s scale—touching five cities—showcases how schools can collaborate with organizations like Olympia Sportz to democratize access to world-class coaching.

Voices of Excellence: Coaches and Athletes Reflect

The resonance between mentors and students defined the camp’s success. Canella observed, “The passion here reminded me why sport connects us beyond borders.” Canut added, “Their eagerness to absorb complex strategies in just three days was remarkable.” Participating athletes reported heightened confidence in game situations, with many noting improved leadership skills during team exercises. VIBGYOR’s investment in such collaborations aligns with its recent recognition as BW Education’s Top Academic Brand 2024 and The Economic Times’ Best Education Brand 2023—honors reflecting its balanced focus on academics and co-curricular excellence.

Building India’s Basketball Future

This camp represents a strategic step in developing basketball’s infrastructure in India. By exposing young athletes to Olympic-level coaching methodologies, VIBGYOR addresses a gap identified by sports educators: the need for tactical sophistication alongside physical training. Bernat Canut’s expertise in youth development—honed through FIBA tournaments—provided actionable frameworks students can continue practicing. As basketball gains traction in Indian schools, initiatives like this create pipelines for national talent identification while setting benchmarks for peer institutions.

VIBGYOR’s groundbreaking basketball camp with global icons Marta Canella and Bernat Canut Font didn’t just teach jump shots—it ignited ambition in over 350 young athletes across five cities while proving India’s readiness for world-class sports pedagogy. By blending elite technical training with transformative life lessons, this initiative sets a new standard for athletic development in schools nationwide. Explore how your institution can foster similar excellence—visit VIBGYOR’s sports initiatives today.

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Must Know

What made this basketball camp unique?
Unlike typical school camps, this featured Olympic-level coaches focusing on advanced tactics, real-game simulations, and personalized feedback. Its multi-city format including Nagpur’s motivational sessions expanded access beyond participants to inspire broader student communities.

Who organized the Marta & Bernat International Hoops camp?
VIBGYOR Group of Schools partnered with Olympia Sportz & Events to host the camp. VIBGYOR, awarded BW Education’s Top Academic Brand 2024, has pioneered holistic education integrating sports and academics since 2004.

Which cities hosted the basketball training?
The camp toured Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. Additionally, Marta and Bernat conducted inspirational talks at VIBGYOR’s campus in Nagpur, extending their impact beyond active trainees.

How many students participated?
Over 350 student-athletes aged 10–18 received direct coaching. Hundreds more engaged through motivational sessions in Nagpur, making this one of India’s largest school-based basketball initiatives.

What skills were emphasized?
Training covered advanced ball-handling, defensive positioning, game-speed decision-making, and mental resilience. Bernat Canut incorporated European team strategies while Marta Canella demonstrated elite scoring techniques.

Will VIBGYOR host similar camps?
Given its success, VIBGYOR aims to expand such collaborations. As Shaji Kuttiani stated, this camp was a “meaningful step toward nurturing a stronger basketball culture,” indicating future iterations are likely.