A new stage for Honduras with their first national 3x3 mini basketball selection process

TEGUCIGALPA (Honduras) – After completing a cycle of national 5x5 mini basketball selection processes, as well as the experiences that the international festivals have granted Honduras in 2019, the Honduras National Basketball Federation (FENABAH) is getting ready to successfully celebrate their first Honduras Mini Basketball anniversary in December.

FENABAH’s mini basketball collaborates with the Nicaraguan Basketball Federation (FENIBAL) and the Sports Direction of the City of Managua, who requested assistance, considering the contributions and the initiatives that have been relevant in Honduras. FENABAH's Mini Basketball has become a member of the Organizing Committee of the first Latin American Mini Basketball 3x3 Festival in the U12 masculine category in Nicaragua, in November 2019.

“I traveled to Managua with the vision of contributing to the growth of Mini Basketball and giving thanks for their confidence in me. I presented to the Festival’s Organizing Committee the 3x3 format with a three-stage project that sets forth part of what I learned in the Mini Basketball FIBA Congress this year in Mexico. My experience is in development projects,” said Carmen Cubas, FENABAH Mini Basketball Coordinator, to FIBA.basketball.

“It’s time to take the next step, to promote 3x3 Mini Basketball festivals. This is a format that allows new ideas with the support of the collaborators that have been connected to the 3x3 adult FIBA formats,” she added.

With the support of Xavier Zambrana, Puerto Rico 3x3 national team member, and who's currently in Tegucigalpa as a reinforcement of Club Naco Atlántida, the workshop took place with the national Mini Basketball 3x3 team. Zambrana, who’s also a 5x5 player, has represented Puerto Rico in the 2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour in Mexico City; in Saskatoon Canada, in 2017 (2 editions); and in Edmonton, Canada, 2018. He was also a 3x3 champion in Puerto Rico, with the San Juan, Gurabo and Adjuntas teams.
“I want to collaborate with the project because I know the modality and I believe I can contribute something important to the future of basketball in Honduras. My time here coincides with the Mini 3x3 Selection Process and this motivates me because basketball is my passion. I want to show the children that with hard work and dedication they can achieve (their dreams) and that 3x3 brings more opportunities for young people. Being able to support their dreams is a gratifying experience,” said Zambrana to FIBA.basketball.

Honduras Mini Basketball has an outstanding project this year called Honduras 3x3 All-Stars, where four children are chosen from this year's international 5x5 festivals. They are selected for their dedication to Mini Basketball to represent three cities in Honduras, which is important to expand the movement in the country.

"We need to be interested in the 3x3, a FIBA, and Olympic modality for over a year. We need to divulge and update it and take it to younger players, who are the future of basketball. I gave my support to national federations and now we're preparing the first Mini 3x3 Honduras national selection process, with commemorative uniforms and the names Honduras Mini Basketball Cultural Diversity and Honduras Mini Basketball Super Heroes. Our first Mini Basketball anniversary coincides with an international event,” said Cubas, who's been involved in 3x3 FIBA Americas projects since 2014.

The National 3x3 Mini Basketball team is: Héctor Gabriel Ávila Fonseca and Marco Antonio Avilés Miranda, from Tegucigalpa; Elías Farid Asfura Caballero de La Ceiba and Allan Mauricio Mendieta Sosa, of Danlí; who are coached by Joset Trabanino Matute.

“Basketball in this modality develops in the child the social and empathy skills to reach common goals, allowing them to be identified and chosen to be a part of the national teams. With the support of Carmen Cubas and the Del Campo School, we've had 3x3 festivals and this modality has come to awaken their motivation, fostering the growth of this discipline, where fun through participation in Mini Basketball categories is essential,” said the national coach.

A workshop took place to present the project, accompanied by a professional photo session. They were given their uniforms and visited several media outlets. The young players are now experiencing important situations like using social media and the press to share their message of the importance of Mini Basketball.

"Honduras is a country with needs, where education, arts, culture, and sports need support. I decided to get involved because it's an initiative that contributes something positive to our society. Thanks to the popularity of digital photographs, the work to support children is visible. Professional photographs draw people’s attention, the impact doubles, and the children that participate in the 3x3 benefit from this. They encourage and inspire anyone that sees the picture to reach their own life goals,” said José López, the project’s photographer, to FIBA.basketball.

“Capturing the skills, the fighting spirit and the work done by the children that are part of the 3x3 is my contribution. What I hope to capture is their strength, to bring forward their skills in the photographs,” he added.

3x3 Mini Basketball is part of the comprehensive development project for children's basketball, and it is unique in its innovation. Celebrating a year of growth of Honduran Mini Basketball is this Central American nation's greatest achievement.

FIBA