T&T seeking four spots at FIBA 3×3 U-23 Nations League
T&T Guardian Reports.
T&T's men's and women's national teams has been invited to participate in the upcoming FIBA 3x3 Under-23 Nations League (U23NL).
Through the the National Basketball Federation of T&T's (NBFTT) successful hosting of local 3×3 tournaments in 2019, T&T earned eligibility for International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3 Official National Team Competitions, this year.
The U23NL is a FIBA 3x3 Official Competition comprised of several conferences of six teams per gender. Each conference sees a series of tournament stops, with the same six teams per gender playing every stop.
Through the Nations League, National Federations (NFs) earn high ranking points which prove valuable to participating countries for their various World Cup and Pre-World Cup qualifications.
NBFTT president Claire Mitchell said “The quality of ranking points earned from this qualification will put T&T in a better position to participate in the Commonwealth Games 2022 and other upcoming qualifier events.
“Qualification for and participation in the U-23 Nations League Tournament is a gateway for T&T to qualify for all of the major upcoming 3x3 events. The best teams of the U-23 Nations League will be offered direct access to FIBA's Pro Circuit for Men and the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series.”
Due to the strong interest and based on the request of the NFs, FIBA has offered participating countries the opportunity to sign up a second set of teams per gender, with the second teams being strictly U-21.
With this tournament widely viewed as an opportunity for NFs to develop new players and stars that can be the future of their 3x3 national teams, according to Mitchell, T&T will be seeking to maximise on rewards made available through participation.
“This window is critical to our entry into the 3x3 circuit. As a result, the NBFTT is currently working towards this opportunity as it can auger well for T&T basketball,” said Mitchell.
For more information call Mitchell at 393-2894 or Arnold Thomas, NBFTT 3x3 Coordinator at 498-4304.
