When international coaching expertise meets young Indian talent, the learning can go far beyond the basketball court.
In August and September 2026, Olympia Academy, in collaboration with Nastic Sports Academy (NSA), Spain, brought an international basketball training experience to young players in Mumbai and Pune.
The NSA Guest Basketball Program in Mumbai was held on 29 and 30 August at VIBGYOR High, Goregaon, followed by an international basketball training camp on 1 and 2 September at VIBGYOR High, Hinjewadi, Pune.
Together, the programmes gave young basketball players an opportunity to train under experienced Spanish coaches, explore a different approach to player development and understand what it takes to progress beyond individual skills.
Bringing a Global Perspective to Basketball Development
The programmes were led by Eduard Torres and Fernando Gordo, directors of the NSA Basketball programme, bringing decades of coaching experience across youth, professional and international basketball.
For the participants, the experience was about more than being introduced to new drills.
The sessions encouraged players to understand why they make certain decisions on the court, how individual skills translate into real-game situations and how different aspects of their game work together.
Beyond the Drills: Understanding the Game
One of the key takeaways from the programme was that player development cannot be measured only by the number of drills a player can perform.
Basketball is a game of decisions.
A player needs to read the court, understand the situation, communicate with teammates, respond to pressure and make the right choice in real time.
The NSA approach combines technical and tactical development with physical, mental and social development. It also emphasises values such as discipline, teamwork, respect, passion, effort and continuous improvement.
For young players in Mumbai and Pune, this created an opportunity to look at basketball from a broader perspective — one where development happens both on and off the court.
Learning from International Coaching Journeys
The experience was also about learning directly from coaches who have worked across different basketball environments.
Eduard Torres has spent 12 consecutive years managing teams in Spain’s ACB and has international coaching experience across countries including Mexico, Venezuela, China, Hong Kong and Thailand. He has also been involved with international basketball camps and the Mexican national team.
Fernando Gordo brings more than two decades of basketball experience, having begun coaching at the age of 15. His journey includes youth and professional basketball in Spain and Hong Kong, along with basketball clinics and his Basket World Tour project.
For young athletes, these interactions offered something that cannot always be learnt through a regular training session: an understanding of the journey behind the game.
The challenges, discipline, commitment and continuous learning required to develop as an athlete became part of the conversation.
From Mumbai to Pune: Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences
The Mumbai and Pune programmes created two opportunities for young players to experience international basketball methodology closer to home.
In Mumbai, participants experienced the NSA Guest Basketball Program over two days at VIBGYOR High, Goregaon. The sessions combined technical and tactical training, physical conditioning, competitive activities and interactions with the coaches.
In Pune, 51 young basketball players took part in the international training camp at VIBGYOR High, Hinjewadi. Participants gained insights into the technical, tactical and mental aspects of the game while experiencing the NSA methodology first-hand.
Across both programmes, the objective remained the same: give young athletes access to new perspectives and help them see their own potential differently.
Creating Pathways Beyond the Court
The collaboration between Olympia Academy and Nastic Sports Academy also introduced players and their families to potential international opportunities, including the NSA International Basketball Camp in Spain and its Annual Residential Basketball Program in Barcelona.
For aspiring athletes, exposure to international programmes can provide a broader understanding of what sporting development can look like beyond their immediate training environment.
It can open conversations around different coaching methodologies, competitive experiences and potential pathways within the sport.
A Step Towards Global Sporting Exposure
For Olympia Academy, the collaboration with Nastic Sports Academy reflects a larger commitment to creating meaningful development opportunities for young athletes.
They gained new perspectives, new experiences and a deeper understanding of the game.
Because developing the next generation of athletes isn’t just about teaching them how to play.
It’s about helping them understand the game, develop the mindset to improve and see how far their journey can go.
