Coming to study at Aligarh University, foreigners like Majid Biskar, Jamshid Nasiri, Emeka Ezugo, and Chima Okorie became superstars of Indian club football.
Nearly four decades later, there's a foreign touch again in basketball at the University Games. Multiple foreigners were seen in basketball at the recently concluded Khelo India University Games in Jaipur, who dominated the sport alongside their studies. While basketball isn't very popular in Bengal, there's now basketball practice in neighbourhoods across Bengaluru, Chennai, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Maharashtra. To capitalise on this popularity, Bengaluru's Jain and Christ Universities are building teams with foreign students. These teams are so strong that both Bengaluru universities played in the men's basketball final at the Games. Jain defeated Christ 96-59.
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Two Africans caught attention in both teams – Peter Rick and Peter Samuel. The well-built 6-foot-9-inch Rick is from South Sudan. He studies computer applications at Jain University. This 22-year-old player can almost put the ball in the basket while standing. Christ's Samuel is 6-foot-6-inch and just 19 years old. He's from Abuja, Nigeria. He plays centre and works incredibly hard for the team.
Rick, however, isn't interested in staying in India after his studies. As a professional basketball player, he wants to secure a place in a European club. Rick was saying, "Cricket is everywhere in India! Don't know if basketball will become professional here. I have offers from some clubs in other countries. So I won't stay here anymore." He added, "Jain University has given me a lot. So I gave them the Games gold before leaving."
Samuel, however, wants to stay in India. The Stephen Curry fan was saying, "There are financial problems in our family of four siblings. Father works a small watchman's job. Christ University gives me free education along with a stipend. They also give financial rewards for winning games. So after finishing studies here, I want to play for a professional club here."
He added emphatically, "If everything goes well, I also plan to take Indian citizenship and play in this country's jersey." After football, is another Chima about to emerge in Indian basketball?
