THE prestigious ‘FIBA 3×3 World Hoops Penang Challenger 2023,’ which concluded yesterday at Queensbay Mall, saw the participation of 11 countries.
It was organised by World Hoops Sdn Bhd for the sixth time in Penang.
The countries that took part in the challenge were India, China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines, the United States of America, Poland, Lithuania, and Malaysia as well.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, who attended the opening ceremony of the event on Saturday, said the FIBA 3×3 World Hoops Penang Challenger 2023 was a good platform to stir interest in basketball among our youngsters.
“Our youngsters (basketball players and enthusiasts) can watch the best teams from all over the world compete and learn their strategies and tactics.
“Through this event, I envision that exposure to basketball will further promote the sport among youth in Penang.
“Looking back at the FIBA 3×3 Challenger event, hosted by World Hoops Sdn Bhd from the year 2016 to 2022, I would like to appreciate and thank them for bringing and showcasing the best 3×3 basketball in Penang,” Soon said during his speech at the event on June 10.
Apart from that, other events such as the ‘Grassroots Tournament’, and ‘Corporate Tournament’, were also held prior to the Challenger matches.
A basketball clinic for children aged 5-12 was also conducted on June 3.
Teams from China, Beijing, and Futian emerged as champions and first runner-ups respectively in the FIBA 3×3 World Hoops Penang Challenger 2023.
Dusseldorf, a team from Germany came in third while Pasig TNT from the Philippines was ranked fourth while USA’s NY Harlem finished fifth.
It is learned that the Penang tournament was a qualifier for the Macau Masters, which is scheduled on July 8-9, 2023.
The two teams, namely Beijing and Futian, will be taking part in the tournament (Macau Masters) as part of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En