Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy to Host First “Hoops Creating Hope” Session

07-27-2012

Academy to promote educational opportunities through sport, long-term impact

Boston, Massachusetts, USA & Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India - July 27, 2012 - Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy (www.crossover-india.org) with a team consisting of Shaun Jayachandran, Founder, Neha Soneji, Program Coordinator, and Eric Obeysekere (College of the Holy Cross ‘13) will travel to India to host the initial Academy Session in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from August 6 - 15, 2012 for approximately 30 - 40 selected area students. Basketballs and other coaching equipment have generously been donated by CHAMPRO Sports® (shop.champrosports.com). All coaches can be scheduled for interviews.

“We are very excited to be launching the Academy this year in India. Basketball has opened doors to so many around the world and is a perfect sport for India; a dynamic, engaging sport that uses critical thinking, athleticism, creativity, and teamwork. Being on the forefront of engaging younger students with long-term goals of high school and university completion regardless of current economic struggles means that they can not only expect, but will, be part of our program for years to come” said Founder Shaun Jayachandran.

Crossover Basketball and Scholars Academy is the first non-profit international program in India to leverage athletic values and skill as a means to develop academic opportunities for Indian students and create future community leaders. The main objective of Crossover Basketball is to leverage the untapped potential of basketball talent in India by improving the athletic skill sets of student-athletes with the goal of preparing those students for future recruitment, in combination of academics, leadership and/or basketball, by United States, and Indian high school and college programs.

Crossover Basketball is dedicated to the idea that India is unlike any other country where basketball has been expanded, due in large part to the potential for academic as well as athletic success for children. The key to integrating sport within the community will be its emphasis on the promotion of educational prospects domestically and internationally. Crossover participants will not only be educated in a non-biased way as to opportunities that currently exist and how to achieve those goals, but will also be supported in their endeavors outside of India once they leave the program. We are not just preparing athletes and helping to increase education rates, we are helping prepare future leaders for Indian communities. Opportunities exist for those interested to get involved, whether it be monetarily or in a hands-on way. Like any other promising non-profit, involvement and participation help carry the momentum of the project to the next level. They are just as key as the vision itself. It truly takes a team effort to win championships and break the cycle of poverty for more than just one year but for a lifetime. 

Access is the Problem. Education and Teamwork are the Answer. Crossover is a Solution.

Download the press release here.

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