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NBA star Kevin Garnett believes India can establish itself as a basketball power if the nation's youth can adopt a similar passion for the game that has paid dividends in neighboring China.

The Minnesota Timberwolves forward, who is in India as part of an Asian promotional tour, said a lack of facilities should not discourage children from taking up basketball in the cricket-mad country.

"I'm looking forward to seeing some of the young Indian players," he said on Sunday.

"Like the Chinese, they are very enthusiastic and the game is new, so I can encourage them to play.

"Yao Ming has definitely opened the door for those guys to come in (China)," he said. "They use him as a source of inspiration and it shows."

Garnett arrived from China, where he was impressed by the enthusiasm for the game, which he attributed to the success of players like Houston Rockets star center Yao.

"Cricket is one, two and three here right now, but hopefully my coming here will encourage more kids to start playing the game (of basketball)," he told reporters.

Non-cricket sports

Indian sports promoters and business houses are targeting non-cricket sports to tap into a huge market and a rapidly growing economy.

Garnett said a lack of infrastructure should not discourage Indian youngsters taking up the game.

"Basketball is leisure and to pick a ball up and start shooting is pure enjoyment," he said.

"The more organized you get is when you have to play with team-mates, then infrastructure and organisation comes in."

The 6-foot-11-inch Garnett, regarded as one of the leading players yet to win an NBA title, has remained with the Timberwolves since his entry into the league in 1995 and said he had no immediate plans to switch teams in pursuit of glory.

"As long as the (team) organization is ready to bring in other players, I'm okay," the 30-year-old said. "I'm not the one to jump ship when things are not going well."

He also welcomed the entry of more foreign players into the NBA.

"As the game gets more global, it will definitely help the league in having players from different countries be a part of that. It helps our game, not just the NBA, the game of basketball."

(China Daily July 19, 2006)