Slovenia’s Mens and Hungary’s Women’s Teams Emerge Winners
The Sri Lanka Basketball Federation (SLBF) successfully hosted the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3X3 Basketball Nations League where male and female teams from six countries came together to compete in Sri Lanka. The tournament took place between 18th and 20th August, 2017 at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Outdoor Courts in Ratmalana. Basketball teams from the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia, Jordan and Sri Lanka took part at the 3X3 Nations League qualifying round, Under 23 (U23) Men & Women’s category.
On Day 1, all countries were scheduled to compete in order to qualify for the semi-finals which were conducted during the course of the next two days. The countries that made it to the Finals match were Hungary and The Netherlands Women’s Team and Slovenia and The Netherlands Men’s Team. In the end, Hungary’s Women’s Team and Slovenia’s Men’s Team emerged as winners. Hungary’s Vivi Böröndy and Slovenia’s Tjaz Rotar were named FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League 2017 Most Valuble Players.
The 3X3 tournament was known to include similarities with the T20 Cricket concept and this proved to be popular amongst members of the Basketball fraternity across the world. Alongside the tournament, SLBF also organized a 3X3 Basketball Invitational Tournament and a workshop for children under the age of 17 with the aim of adding more excitement and vigour to the event and to promote 3X3 Basketball among school children.
Commenting on the conclusion of the tournament, SLBF President Brigadier Indunil Ranasinghe stated, “We are delighted to have been chosen to host this year’s FIBA Nations League and to witness these matches unfold. The event concluded successfully and the three day basketball spectacle proved a delight amongst team members, families and children who related to this sport. On behalf of the SLBF, I congratulate the winners on their winnings and wish them the very best.”