FIBA Asia president Govindaraj says India keen to host World junior 3x3 championships

K. Govindaraj, president of FIBA Asia, said in Bengaluru on Sunday after the third-place match of the FIBA-Women’s Basketball League Asia that India is keen to host the World junior 3x3 championships. He told The Hindu he plans to present a proposal at the FIBA Central Board Meeting in Geneva in March or April 2027.

Govindaraj, 67, is the first Indian to head FIBA Asia for the 2023-27 term. “I am trying to get a World junior-level 3x3 championship where 40 to 44 countries will take part,” he said. “The reason why I am keen to host the event in India is that 3x3 is becoming more popular in Europe and it’s the No. 1 sport there,” he added.

Commenting on his tenure, Govindaraj said his focus has been on developing basketball at multiple levels. “I have done and am doing my best for the development of basketball in Asia, across the world, and across India. Barring disturbances in West Asia, where qualifiers and other events got delayed, it’s been smooth sailing so far,” he said.

The former Basketball Federation of India head outlined steps he believes are needed domestically to strengthen the sport. He said the BFI has been working on launching the Indian Basketball League next year and that the federation must increase its efforts.

On youth development, Govindaraj urged a sharper focus on lower age groups. “Now BFI has taken up the League (Indian Basketball League) and other issues, but it has to step up its efforts. India should go for aggressive training camps in the under-16 and -18 age-groups, which are very important because they are the future of our country,” he said.

Govindaraj confirmed the immediate next step is to take a formal hosting proposal to FIBA’s Central Board in Geneva in March or April 2027.