National teams from all corners of the globe 39 countries in all - will play 3-on-3 basketball at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this summer.
The YOG is a platform through which youngsters will learn about Olympic values and the benefits of sport. The hope is that they will share their experiences with other communities around the globe.
FIBA received praise by the IOC for the innovative approach of using the 3-on-3 format in Singapore.
All five FIBA zones Africa, Oceania, Asia, the Americas and Europe will have representation.
Egypt, India, South Africa and the Central African Republic, countries where the sport doesnt gain as much worldwide attention in the five-on-five game, will be among the 20 mens sides while Chile, Ivory Coast and Vanuatu will be in the 20-strong womens competition.
Africa will have six teams while Asia and the Americas will have eight and nine teams, respectively.
Europe will have 13 teams and Oceania three.
To make certain of the worldwide representation, the decision was taken to not allow countries to have teams in both the mens and womens tournaments with the exception of Singapore, because they are hosts, and the United States, who have top four sides in both genders of the FIBA World Rankings.
FIBA President Bob Elphinston said: Instead of the traditional system which the IOC had suggested, which would have been six teams, we will actually have 20 boys teams and 20 girls' teams.
Its a remarkable opportunity. For example, Vanuatu a very small country in the Pacific, a member of FIBA Oceania Zone, has been selected in the girls basketball competition. The Youth Olympic Games is also about what they call universality.
Many different countries need to get a chance to participate.
Countries were able to ask the IOC which sports they would like to participate in. In turn, FIBA nominated the best federations, so Russia, Spain, China, Australia, etc, were clearly in that group. Then we also settled on a second group of developing countries that are doing a good job in the development of the sport.
Mali will be among the womens sides at the Youth Olympic Games and the FIBA Central Board member from the country, Salamatou Maiga, spoke about the game in her country and next summers big tournament.
Maiga said: Mali is the best team in Africa in all of womens basketball. Mali will do very well in the new experience of the 3-on-3.
Young players in Mali will all play with a lot of heart.
Turkey were confirmed in the mens tournament and the countrys basketball federation president Turgay Demirel said: Were proud of being a part of this, the 3-on-3 concept. This will be exciting for our young players who are going to take part.
Outdoor basketball, 3-on -3 basketball is big here already. Some tournaments are done by sponsors.
The 20th teams in the womens competition will be decided jointly by IOC/FIBA later.
Youth Olympic Games basketball participants confirmed on Sunday:
Mens teams: Argentina, Central African Republic, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Serbia, Spain, South Africa, Turkey, USA and US Virgin Islands.
Womens teams: Angola, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Korea, Mali, Russia, Singapore, USA, Vanuatu.
Courtesy of FIBA
|
