~ Program to be held from May 25 to June 2 with participation from 15 selected PE educators in collaboration with FIBA and ISF ~
New Delhi, 25 May 2026: Continuing its mission to strengthen grassroots sports education in India, International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) academy has announced the launch of its PE Educators Upskill Program in collaboration with FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball) and the International School Sport Federation (ISF). The initiative will be hosted at The Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurugram, bringing together 15 PE educators and basketball coaches for an internationally aligned learning experience.
The program will be led by internationally acclaimed Serbian basketball coach Veselin Matic, one of the most respected names in global basketball coaching and education. Matic was part of the legendary FR Yugoslavia coaching setup that won the EuroBasket 2001 and the 2002 FIBA World Championship, and has worked extensively across Europe and Asia with national teams including India from 2019 to 2025.
Widely recognised for his contribution towards long-term player development and modern coaching systems, Matic played a key role in expanding India’s basketball talent pool during his tenure as Head Coach of the Indian Men’s Basketball Team. His emphasis on youth development, structured coaching pathways and modern basketball philosophy has made him a highly respected figure within international basketball circles.
Speaking about the initiative, coach Mr. Veselin Matic commented, “This program is important because real progress always begins at the grassroots level. PE educators and school coaches are the first mentors young athletes interact with and empowering them with modern knowledge and international exposure creates long-term impact. India has tremendous talent and passion for basketball and initiatives like this by ISSO are essential for building stronger systems and a better future for the sport.”
The ISSO Academy initiative comes after the successful PE Educator and Coach Development Programs earlier this year in collaboration with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). With basketball now becoming the next focus area, ISSO continues to strengthen its vision of creating globally aligned learning ecosystems for students across India.
Ms. Aakanksha Thapak, Director, ISSO stated, “At ISSO, we strongly believe that the future of Indian sports will be shaped inside schools and through the educators and coaches guiding young athletes every day. This collaboration with FIBA and ISF reflects our long-term commitment towards creating globally benchmarked opportunities for students and coaches in India. Coach Veselin Matic is one of the most respected and accomplished figures in international basketball coaching, and we are delighted to have someone of his stature share our vision for grassroots sports development. His experience, philosophy, and modern approach to basketball coaching will play a crucial role in empowering our PE educators and coaches with global best practices.”
Manika Sharma, Director of The Shri Ram School, Gurugram further added, “We believe sports play a critical role in shaping leadership, discipline, teamwork and overall student development. International Schools Sports Organisation has been working closely with The Shri Ram Schools towards the development of a stronger sports and education ecosystem for students and educators . We are hosting the first of its kind certification and PE educators upskilling initiative in India, in association with International School Sport Federation (ISF) and FIBA, is a meaningful step towards strengthening grassroots sports education in the country. Programs like these empower educators with global exposure and modern methodologies, which will ultimately benefit our students and the larger sporting ecosystem.”
The FIBA Coach Education Program is part of ISSO Academy’s larger vision to bridge the gap between education and sport by bringing world-class expertise, international collaborations, and structured development to schools across the country. ISSO continues to position itself as a leading force in transforming school sports education in India.
