The new season of the School Basketball League of Kalmykia opened on November 11, 2026, at the Kalmyk Ethnocultural Gymnasium named after Zaya-Pandita in Elista. Olympic bronze medalist and European champion Viktor Khryapa, who visited Kalmykia for the first time, served as the honored guest. He conducted a master class for young players, presented certificates of appreciation from the Russian Basketball Federation, and met with local officials including Head of the Republic Batu Khasikov. Khryapa also toured the National Museum and a phygital center in Elista during his visit, which began around November 10. The event highlighted growing interest in basketball development in the region.