Hong Kong to launch 3x3 basketball league in June with association to add ‘China’ into official name
- Miniature game will become a main focus of Basketball Association as they look to secure tier A status at Sports Institute
- Basketball chief Norman Chan Shui-tim confirms they will follow Olympic Committee’s request to add ‘China’ into name by July
The Basketball Association will set up a new 3x3 league with the target of securing top tier support from the Sports Institute, Hong Kong’s elite training centre.
Association chairman Norman Chan Shui-tim said the 3x3 game would be their new focus as it better suits their athletes.
“The 3x3 basketball requires more individual skills from players including their speed and shooting power, whereas the traditional 5-a-side game relies more on height and team strategy,” the chief said at a media briefing on Thursday.
“It will be easier for us to select quality players for the miniature game rather than a team of five for traditional basketball.
“Also, both the Asian Games and Olympic Games now feature 3x3 basketball which can be our targets for qualification if we can make it a top-tier programme at the Sports Institute.”
Chan said 3x3 basketball can also utilise street venues, creating a good atmosphere in urban settings which fits the environment of Hong Kong, which also successfully hosted a leg of the Fiba 3x3 2022 World Tour in November.
