02 June,2021 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | BrandMedia
3BL Pro Basketball League Commissioner Rohit Bakshi
The 2021 Olympics is just two months away, and naturally all the attention in India is shifting towards its Tokyo bound athletes. Basketball has historically been a part of the Summer Olympic Games since 1936. This year, 3x3 Basketball - the shorter duration form of hoops played on half-court between 3 players on each team as against the traditional five-a-side - too will be making its Olympic debut.
Akin to the T20 version of cricket, 3x3 basketball is one of the fastest growing urban sports in the world. It is also played widely in Indian schools and colleges, as well as in casual neighbourhood âpick-up' games.
But still unknown to many outside its core basketball community, India already has a successfully running national 3x3 Pro Basketball League, called â3BL'.
Having completed two seasons, including one season also featuring women's teams, 3BL recently made headlines by gaining formal recognition from the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).
The recognition is expected to galvanize the sport of basketball in India, especially in the shorter 3x3 format and drastically improve India's qualification chances for the 3x3 basketball events at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"We want to make superstars out of India's already talented basketball players so that they can earn annual salaries in crores of rupees," added Mr Rohit Bakshi, Commissioner, 3BL. "We will be working together with BFI to ensure India becomes a dominant force in 3x3 basketball in the world. We are very thankful to Mr. Govindaraj Kempareddy [BFI President] and Mr. Chander Mukhi Sharma [BFI Secretary General] for entrusting us with this journey we call Road to Olympics."
" There are only two ways for any country to participate in 3x3 games in the Olympics:
Let me elaborate:
Based on the above information, 3BL has the top ranking systems given by FIBA and also every season, two 3BL teams are given access to compete in two World Tour events. 3BL's exclusivity from FIBA grants us the only organization to have the two direct accesses to World Tours every year. Association with BFI will give us the top players and referees, which will help to grow the games and compete in international events such as World Tour."
Besides serving as a shot in the arm for India's future Olympic qualification chances, the association between the country's top basketball administrator and the organizers of India's only professional basketball league will herald multiple other mutually beneficial advantages. More importantly, it will be a game changer for aspiring basketball players in India to pursue financially rewarding professional playing opportunities within India as well as through representing their country at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters.
The next season [i.e. Season 3] of 3BL will be announced in coming weeks, keeping in mind COVID related health & safety protocols. For now, interested players & referees can advance register themselves for free on the 3BL app, available for download on both Android and iOS.
The Basketball Federation of India or BFI is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India, and is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels. BFI has been involved in conducting camps, clinics, events, and training sessions at its academies for the development of basketball. BFI came into being in 1935 and took complete control over Indian basketball in 1950. Prior to that time, the Indian Olympic Association handled the conduct of Indian basketball championships. Since 1950, the BFI has been conducting various such championships, from the grassroots to senior team participation in international tournaments. In addition, the BFI has been responsible for the establishment of strong sub-junior and junior level programs. The BFI has to its credit produced several international players of repute, among them 19 have been bestowed with the honour of Arjuna Awards, and two have been conferred the Padma Shri.
3BL, 3x3 Pro Basketball League Indian Sub-continent, is an intellectual property of YKBK Enterprise Pvt. Ltd. It has 6 Women's teams and 12 Men's teams competing in the professional circuit. 3BL is the exclusive rights holder for 3x3 basketball in India officially approved and recognized by FIBA, International Basketball Federation, and BFI, Basketball Federation of India.
3BL is the only exclusive provider for an opportunity to compete at FIBA 3x3's international circuit such as Challengers and World Tours from the Indian Sub-continent directly.
About YKBK Enterprise Pvt Ltd
YKBK Enterprise Pvt Ltd is the exclusive rights holder for conducting 3x3 professional basketball leagues in the Indian Sub-continent, which includes sixcountries i.e. India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan. It also owns the rights to host a 3x3 professional basketball league in the Kingdom of Thailand located in South East Asia.
Founded by Mr. Yoshiya Kato (Chairman, 3BL) and Mr. RohitBakshi (League Commissioner, 3BL) in 2017, YKBK has a clear vision to grow and promote 3x3 culture and its potential throughout the Indian Sub-continent and South East Asia by organizing a Professional Circuit, Grassroots Programs and build indoor 3x3 basketball facilities for the betterment of existing and upcoming players.
3x3 Basketball is the fastest and shortest format of Basketball in the world. All you need is one hoop, a half-court and six players. Games can be staged outdoor and indoor in iconic locations to bring basketball directly to the people. It's a 10-minute game. Highest score in 10 minutes or first team to score 21 points wins. 3x3 is not only FIBA's second official discipline but will be played at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, the Commonwealth Games - Birmingham 2022 and at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
