lucknow a dedicated basketball court will be constructed in sigra sports hub being developed in varanasi under the smart city project the government has also roped in international basketball player and nba national basketball association champion dwight howard for setting up an academy for basketball playersduring an interaction with additional chief secretary sports navneet sehgal howard had expressed the desire to set up a basketball academy in varanasifollowing this sehgal on wednesday held a meeting with the officials associated with sigra sports hub project and directed them to set up an international level basketball facility he said that the project would be reviewed every third weekthe proposal by howard is a welcome step the facility will help players receive international level training and make uttar pradesh proud at national and international level sehgal said howard is top nba player and is famous is not only in america but also in other parts of the world and his support will help up players hone their skills he addedsigra sports hub is being developed under smart city project as part of khelo india programme the project is being developed in three phases the hub will have sports hall community sports centre sports academy pavellion building athletic trackcumfootball field cricket ground and practice pitch and courts for lawn tennis volleyball basketball and kabaddibesides sports hostel for boys and girls 100 beds each will also be constructed a national centre of excellence will also be set up