Google celebrates Naismith's invention of basketball as physical training with animated doodle

The internet search engine giant Google celebrates 'Canadian-American physical educator, professor, doctor, and coach Dr. James Naismith, who invented the game of basketball in 1891' on January 15 which 'from its humble beginnings in a school gymnasium, the sport has grown into an international colossus played in over 200 countries today.'

The doodle is animated one showing the beginning of the sport as a physical activity 'with two peach baskets, a soccer ball, and just ten rules.'

The Google's website informs that James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861, near the town of Almonte in Ontario, Canada. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from McGill University, and in 1890 took a job as an instructor at the YMCA International Training College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Here, he was tasked to develop an indoor game that could occupy students during the unforgiving New England winters.

"Naismith envisioned basketball as a way for all students to better themselves physically and mentally. The sport was introduced in a time when schools were segregated, but Naismith saw everyone as someone with potential for the game. In his lifetime, he took steps to help basketball reach more young people, and it has since evolved into a global phenomenon that crosses racial and gender barriers." adds the website.