3x3 basketball makes debut at KSSSA Games

In a bid to popularise the 3x3 (three on three) version of basketball in the country, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) has introduced the sport in schools. 

3x3 basketball made its debut at the Kenya Secondary School Sport Association (KSSSA) Games this year and at the national level Stafford and Buruburu Girls were crowned champions in boys and girls categories respectively. 

With Kenya having represented the continent at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, organisers have seen the potential for the sport in the country. 

On top of the Birmingham Games, a team of four women left the country on Tuesday 13 September for Romania where they will represent the continent at the 3x3 Under-23 Nations Cup. 

Stafford head coach Benson Okemo says that Kenya has the potential to compete at the world stage if the talent displayed at the games is anything to go by. 

"I am impressed by how quick the players at the KSSSA Games have caught on with this version of basketball. My boys did very well and redeemed themselves, having come to the nationals in second place behind Laiser Hill. 

As we head to the East Africa games, we are hoping for another dominant performance to lift that title," offered Okemo. 

3x3 Under-23 team off to Romania for Nations Cup

The tactician says the growth in the sport in the recent past where Kenya has been competing at the international level is a good motivation for the younger generation to pick up the sport and grow with it. 

Under the tutelage of Julius Otieno, Buruburu quartet won the girls' title much to the excitement of the Nairobi region school that had missed out on a slot to represent the region in 5 aside basketball. 

Buruburu who won the five aside basketball title in 2019 were denied at the regional level this year, as they were defeated at the quarter finals with Olympics Girls making their debut at the nationals as the Nairobi region representatives.