Meet the GurGaonMuMs Basketball team! Led by Jugnu Almeida and Deepak Sihag, these women are reclaiming their passion for the court, proving it’s never too late to rediscover the joy of sport. From fighting menopause symptoms to building community, discover how basketball is transforming lives in Gurgaon.
“Nothing like spending time with friends and playing a sport. It gives you some unforgettable moments.” – Sachin Tendulkar
The genesis of a dream
Capturing this exact sentiment, Jugnu Almeida (50), a resident of Gurgaon, got together a group of basketball enthusiasts and started GurGaonMuMs Basketball in April 2025. Speaking to Not So Silver, Jugnu says, “I used to play a lot of basketball in school and for the longest time have been wanting to get back to the sport. Unfortunately, given that basketball is a team sport, I kept waiting for the right time and place.”
Staying persistent in her desire to play, Jugnu found a partner in Deepak Sihag, who was also a boarding school buddy. “It was easy to work as a team and gather the troops,” Jugnu quips. Before they knew it, the WhatsApp group was buzzing, and the group now boasts a strong 30-member roster of enthusiastic and serious basketball players.
A journey back to the courtÂ
Adding her own story, Deepak says, “Sports has been a part of my DNA ever since I can recollect. At 15, I was the sports captain of my school, with basketball as my first love. The player in me got sidelined and the passion forgotten amidst marriage and motherhood, until I saw that spark years later in my son. I grabbed every chance to hit the court with him and his friends nearly 15 years ago.”
“Fast forward to May 2024, I came across Jugnu’s post on a social media platform and seized the opportunity to jump right in. Here we are now as a team – back on the court, loving the game, and doing our bit to encourage more women to rediscover and reclaim their passion for their favourite sport all over again.”
Basketball as therapy: Fighting menopause with sport
Deepak’s story takes a deeper turn as she shares how basketball became her lifeline during menopause. “Playing basketball completes me. I’ve been dealing with menopause for a few years now. It came with anxiety, hot flashes, sleepless nights, and a sense of slowing down. It felt like my body couldn’t do what my mind thought. And then came basketball, back into my life with a bang. The idea of waking up at 4:30 a.m. for a 6 o’clock game sounded impossible at first. But I gave it a shot.”
“In that one hour on the court, I find my balance – physically, emotionally, mentally. I get my daily dose of endorphins, adrenaline, and all the happy hormones we’re told we need to feel alive. The discipline of showing up each morning has fixed my sleep pattern in a way no remedy could. I wake up looking forward to the game and the day ahead. I’m living proof that reigniting a lost passion can do wonders for any human.”
The transformative power of play
Looking back at how it all started, Jugnu reflects, “Once you are on that court, everything seems to be forgotten. We all come from busy homes, raising children, managing careers, caring for ageing parents, and the time we get on the court is precious. It makes us come alive. I have seen how the game and being there has transformed people. It just takes the stress away.”
For another member, Shally Mattoo, it feels like a part of her has come alive again. She finds herself waiting for match time like she used to wait for the sports period in her school days. “I wake up early, excited, just to be on that court. It’s more than just a game. It helps me revisit my school and college days – the memories, the energy, the friendships. The sport has also helped me stay focused. It’s my therapy, my joy, and a beautiful reminder of who I’ve always been.”
Building community, one game at a time
With the oldest member on the team at 60, this group has come together beautifully and is determined to keep going strong. The all-women group meets in Gurgaon every Tuesday and Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings for games. While the group is exclusively for women, male family members are welcome to join as well.
Jugnu actively encourages women to take up the sport and has been instrumental in getting many of them back on the court. “If you like the sport, get out there and make it happen,” she adds.
GurGaonMuMs Basketball stands as a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together and helping them rediscover forgotten passions, proving that it’s never too late to get back in the game.
