Basketball Opens Doors in India

Last April, Ezekiel Selvaraj, SportsLife’s Country Leader for India, welcomed former NBA player Wesley Fluellen to his home country for 10 days of ministry across four major cities.

“Wesley had wanted to visit India for five years, but nothing materialized to this point,” Selvaraj said. “After a mutual friend (Samson from Punjab) introduced us, it only took three months for everything to come together.”

The tour opened in Bangalore, where Selvaraj and Fluellen worked with 150 basketball players at three clinics. They then teamed with the Church of South India to host an 18-team tournament representing 18 Anglican churches. Before the awards presentation, Fluellen shared his story with an estimated 100 athletes and onlookers.

“Wesley has a very powerful story. Many people came to us afterwards and said they were moved by what he had to say.” – Ezekiel Selvaraj

Next was Punjab, in northern India, where they visited the Christian Medical Center & Hospital in Ludhiana—a school and hospital started by British Baptist missionaries 132 years ago. Fluellen spoke to 40 doctors and students ahead of a first-ever interstate medical college tournament that drew 12 teams and 120 players. At the awards presentation, an estimated 150 students heard him give his testimony and share the Gospel.

In Delhi, Selvaraj and Fluellen joined sports ministry leader Zach Alexander, who runs Courtside Conversations. Twice a month, Alexander invites basketball players to compete, then provides pizza and splits them into groups of five to discuss a key word. Fluellen worked with 40 athletes on the court and encouraged them as a group.

The trip closed in Mumbai with a meaningful day at Teen Challenge. Selvaraj and Fluellen first ministered to 200 girls rescued from trafficking. After Fluellen shared the Gospel, a church service and time of worship followed. The day continued with 47 young men in the Teen Challenge addiction program. After sharing personal stories and God’s Word, the two had lunch with the group.

Selvaraj plans to keep reaching into the rural areas surrounding India’s biggest cities and using basketball, soccer, and wrestling to reach young people—especially where there is more freedom to share the Gospel. He hopes the April trip opens more doors soon.

Although Selvaraj joined SportsLife in October 2025, he has known President Dan Britton and Chief Operating Officer Silas Mullis since 2020. In that time, Mullis has seen the potential for intense sports ministry growth throughout India.

“Ezekiel is a visionary leader who brings loads of life experience and a deep business background driven by his passion for his faith.” – Silas Mullis

“He sees the opportunities to work with sport communities and invest in the leadership development of athletes and coaches and the people of influence in the community,” Mullis said.

It would be easy to see a 10-day trip as overwhelmed by India’s massive population. Mullis sees it differently.

“You could look at it like a raindrop in the ocean,” Mullis said. “But it still matters. Some significant things happened that might never be understood or known for years to come. We don’t know what plans God has for these young people. They could become future pastors, future athletes, and future leaders. Our job is to continue stepping into these opportunities and giving our teammates like Ezekiel the resources to make an eternal impact.”