Nairobi, Kisumu and Kakamega will today select players who will take part in the national trials for the Africa 3x3 World Cup basketball qualifiers set for next month in Morocco.
The winners of the African qualifiers will qualify for the 2022 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Antwerp, Belgium in June.
Kenya Basketball Federation vice president Ali Hilmi said Mombasa and Eldoret have already named their players for the national trials to be held next weekend at the University of Nairobi.
He said each county will be represented by 24 players, 12 men and 12 women, in both senior and under 23 categories at the national trials.
“After the final selection, we shall have 16 men and 16 women players who will form the senior and under 23 teams to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers and the Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham City, UK,” said Hilmi.
“We intend to use the under-23 players to feed the senior teams and I challenge the youth and especially those in colleges to turn in big numbers for the trials.”
Kenya earned an automatic entry into the Commonwealth Games slated for July as it is currently the second best placed country in Africa. Egypt is ranked top in the continent but is not a member of Commonwealth nations.
“2022 will be a busy year for the Kenya 3x3 basketball national teams as they will feature in two major events. This means we need proper preparations,” said Hilmi.
“Commonwealth Games are competitive and we need to play several international build-up matches. We don’t what to be at the Commonwealth Games as mere participants but as title contenders.”
