India to host 3x3 basketball qualifiers for Tokyo Olympics in March

The 3×3 basketball qualifying tournament for Tokyo Olympic Games will be hosted by India in March next year, the world governing body of the sport, FIBA has announced.

The tournament will feature 40 teams, 20 each of men and women and the venue will be announced later.

The event will be held under the aegis of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and will be organised by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

In the qualifying tournament, six spots (three each for men and women) will be up for grabs for 2020 Olympics.

The sport will mark its debut at the Olympics next year where eight-team tournaments will be held for men and women.

“It is a great honour to host such an important event in India and to see our players give it all on home soil for a berth to the first-ever 3×3 Olympic tournament,” BFI President Govindaraj Kempareddy said.

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FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said the success of the two Asia Cups in Bangalore and 3×3 World Tour in Hyderabad played a vital role in awarding the tournament to India.

“Following the successful organisation of two consecutive FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Bangalore by the BFI, we are looking forward to organising now a key 3×3 event in a country where our new Olympic discipline already has a strong fanbase.

“Our positive experience with YKBK at the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Hyderabad Masters 2018 and the excellent collaboration between FIBA and the BFI played an important role in the selection of the host by the FIBA Central Board,” he added.

In addition to the host teams, the remaining of the 40 participating teams will be chosen via the FIBA 3×3 Federation Ranking and the results of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

(With inputs from agencies)