Uganda embraces 3x3 basketball

KAMPALA (3x3) – A new wave of 3x3 basketball is sweeping across Uganda and with it comes an expression of skill, talent and hope of a new dawn as Uganda seeks to make a stake on the international scene.

The young, the old, female and male have all adopted the shorter version of the hoops game and in the new year this will set the pace for more international recognition.

Three years after Uganda's women made their memorable debut at the 2014 FIBA 3x3 World Championships (they reached the Last 16 and finished 14th overall), Uganda will make their return on the world scene at the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World U18 Championships in Chengdu, China on 28 June - 2 July.

To prepare for this global showdown, Uganda is not taking anything for granted and preparations are already underway across the country with tournaments scheduled to be held in the next five months.

At a recent fun-filled 3x3 tournament organised by Pamoja Afriq, a youth development organisation in collaboration with FUBA and FIBA held at the Kabira Country Club in Bukoto, a Kampala suburb on 30 December, a total of 20 teams registered to compete in the U18 boys and girls categories as well as the men and women’s senior groupings.

Pamoja Afriq Technical Director Hamza Nyambogo told FIBA.com:

"We decided to reach out to young people who are in their holidays and give them something to do other than sit at home idle and also use this opportunity to scout the talent that we have in terms of 3x3.

"We decided to also invite the big boys and girls to the U18 tournament. The idea is to select 32 players, 16 girls and 16 boys. Out of the 16, half of them have to be U18 and the other half has to be in the continuation program which is the U23 [in line with the FIBA 3x3 Fast Track Programme].

"To add flavor to it, we opted to give a chance to the big boys in the league because people love watching them play."

Arion Osama, 18, who represented Uganda at the FIBA Africa U18 Championships 2016 in Kigali, is trying out the new format and he says he is mesmerised by the potential it has going forward.

"A tournament like this gives us exposure and we thank our parents, the sponsors Rwenzori and the managers. They have really raised us to the level we were expecting," explains Osama.

"It takes hard work, commitment and teamwork. For Uganda to compete at the international level, it will be an amazing experience."

This will be the first time that Uganda is competing at a FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup event and Osama wants Uganda to be a regular competitor. 

Even though this opportunity is only for the U18 boys, the girls are at work already and want their own shot to find them ready and good to go.

Peggy Karen Nabwire, 18, in her senior six vacation formerly at Mengo Senior Secondary School was one of the participants that have been enticed by the shorter version of the game.

With hopes of representing Uganda at the global stage, Nabwire told FIBA.com:

"I love 3x3 and it is great. They are making sure it is promoted across Uganda and it is a big opportunity because many people are around to scout us the youngsters who have upcoming talent and they will develop it.

"Also, 3x3 has given us life skills like leadership, self-awareness and self-confidence. It does not matter if you are playing against bigger people, you just have to enjoy yourself." 

With this enthusiasm, 3x3 basketball is set for a bigger audience in the Ugandan fraternity with more and more participation projected in the next five years.

FIBA