OUR STORY

For decades basketball has been a passion amongst the nomads and monks of the remote Zorge Ritoma region. Years ago, using inflated animal bladders and leather to create make-shift basketballs, Zorge Ritomans chose the strongest males in the village to compete in their unique, physical-style of play. Now, with Norlha’s connection with the rest of the world, the Tibetans of Zorge Ritoma are expanding their game.

Norlha Basketball is fully supported by the social enterprise Norlha. Norlha is a groundbreaking lifestyle brand whose holistic and truly sustainable approach has transformed the lives of hundreds. Norlha has earned multiple awards including those from the UN Development Programme and B-Corp’s Best for the World: Community.

The senior men’s team, comprised of nomads and artisans, compete semi-professionally in cash-prize tournaments around the Tibetan Plateau, as well as trips deeper into China and Hong Kong. The men’s team annually hosts the top the players from the region, as well as foreign teams and coaches, including former NBA players.

Although there are limited opportunities for adult Tibetan women to compete in the area, Norlha’s senior women’s team hosts foreign teams and pro coaches who visit Zorge Ritoma, and have had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong on several occasions to compete. They have paved the way for younger women and girls to feel empowered and have the confidence to play basketball.

Norlha Basketball also uses the sport to empower and raise awareness of those with disabilities, including hosting wheelchair basketball clinics. Norlha welcomed 3-time Gold-medal winning Paralympian Alana Nichols to kick-start the program.

Norlha Basketball is also supported by Norden Camp, Norlha’s sister company, another groundbreaking social enterprise in the authentic hospitality industry. Visiting foreign players, coaches and volunteers have been able to enjoy Norden’s amenities, which was tabbed by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 Adventure Lodges in the World.

During Covid, our efforts have turned to Project Bōlō སྤོ་ལོ།.