Abu Dhabi to host 3x3 basketball world final

Fourth edition of FIBA tour to culminate with showdown on UAE capital’s Corniche

Abu Dhabi will host the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final in October, the International Basketball Federation announced at a press conference in the UAE capital yesterday.

In its fourth edition, the World Tour will visit Manila, Prague, Beijing, Olympic capital Lausanne in Switzerland, Mexico and Rio de Janeiro before concluding in Abu Dhabi. It is the flagship event of the fastpaced three-on-three discipline and sees teams representing cities from around the world bid to reach the six 12-team Masters events via a worldwide network of qualifying tournaments. Any team of four players is eligible to participate.

The two best teams from each Masters event qualify for the $200,000 (Dh734,000) World Tour Final in the UAE.

Iconic venue

“We are thrilled to have the final of the World Tour take place in the UAE capital,” said FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann.

“Not only is the Corniche one of the most iconic cityscapes in the world, but also FIBA’s main 3x3 event is coming to a city and a country that have fully embraced our game by organising countless 3x3 events.”

The development of 3x3 basketball has become a pillar of the UAE Basketball Association’s strategy, according to 3x3 basketball chairman Khalid Al Hanaei.

“We are trying to build a legacy and I am very happy that the Abu Dhabi 3x3 Basketball Tour is growing from one tournament to another. We want to make people aware that Abu Dhabi will host the most important 3x3 basketball event of the year, the World Tour Final, and we are using every opportunity,” Al Hanaei said.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council — the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final local organiser — underlined its excitement at hosting the prestigious event and its long-term commitment.

Novi Sad of Serbia are the reigning champions following their success in Tokyo in October last year.