The National Basketball Association is the premier patron of the game, there is the regular season and the playoff, which is the championship of basketball, every year. The NBA remains very economically viable, even in these hard times, it attracts players from all around the globe, and an international viewer-ship through devoted airtime on channels such as ESPN and STAR.

The body that governs basketball in Africa, Europe, Asia and a large part of Australia is the international basketball federation, FIBA. The Olympic Games follow the FIBA rules of basketball, which are slightly different from those of the NBA. FIBA hosts prestigious international events such as the Under 17 and other World Championships.

The other variation of the game is street ball, the rules are flexible and the eye popping moves and manoeuvres are in a league of their own. The premier street-ball brand AND1 has exploited the potential of this phenomenon on a global scale.

Pakistan, also a member of FIBA, participates in international events such as the upcoming South Asian Games in Dhaka. Although the popularity of the basketball is not even a shadow of the popularity of cricket in Pakistan, through local community clubs such as Arambagh in Karachi and institutionalised school teams and tournaments all over Pakistan, the Army and district basketball boards, the game definitely has a pulse. One would be surprised to know about the variety and consistency of district championships and club tournaments that take place here.

The start-up costs are minimal, if there is basketball court, anybody can play, the equipment is readily available, schools and clubs are welcoming, its interactive and especially here, since there is a certain group of people you are acquainted with from all over the city, and you meet them every tournament or event. The game itself is fascinating, it's fast and has an infinite set of plays and moves. The race aspect of it all makes it very interesting.

Basketball requires a high fitness and skill level. The reason the African race has such a natural aptitude for the game is very racist. The disproportional amount of Africans players who were world beaters is a testament to that fact.

Michael Jordan, the epitome of skill and everything basketball -- was and still is a legend, enrapturing crowds and inspiring young players from all around the world. Michael Jordan also started the trend of sports celebrity endorsements on an unprecedented scale, the unholy alliance with Nike, Gatorade, NBA, and his own brand Air Jordan have engendered a generation, garnered large international markets, depicted in films and media, and even today form the highest ideal one can wish to reach. Everybody wants to be like Mike, as the saying goes.

The community value of the game has always been very beneficial. In North America, it played a pivotal role in getting young kids off the streets and reducing juvenile crime rates in the once disenfranchised black community, and even today sports scholarships are helping children from humble backgrounds to get college education. This community value travels all around the world as an important outlet for the youth and ambassador for the game.

In Pakistan the first ever basketball academy, the Falcons Basketball Academy was launched in 2006 to train children from an early age, aiming to increase the competence of Pakistani Basketball at the international scale. Training camps and unofficial academies are quite well established due to the initiatives of pioneering players who work hard for the popularisation of the sport.

The speed, strength, agility, fitness levels and infinite margin for improvement in basketball will perpetuate the popularity of the game, although it has been a long time since someone like Michael Jordan captured the world's imagination, the pulse is well grounded and promises to stay.