*** Big Summer, Bigger Ambitions | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Big Summer, Bigger Ambitions

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s new 3x3 basketball tour tips off Saturday with 24 teams chasing a global ticket

Bahrain tips off with 3x3 vision

A busy summer of basketball is about to get underway in Bahrain, as the kingdom hosts its first-ever 3x3 Summer Tour, which is a new competition bringing together 24 teams in a high-tempo format that’s gaining ground across the sporting world.

Organised by the Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA), the tournament begins Saturday at the Zain Bahrain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam and will run until August 1. It’s an ambitious new step for local basketball, designed not just to entertain but to elevate the sport’s summer footprint, and perhaps even launch new careers.

A shot at the world stage

The line-up is as mixed as it is competitive. Registered teams include local clubs, university squads, corporate sides, and groups of individual players—some with professional experience, others simply passionate about the game.

They’ll all be playing for a share of the $6,000 prize pool, but more importantly, for a chance to advance to a FIBA 3x3 Quest event. That stage feeds directly into the global FIBA 3x3 World Tour, putting Bahraini players just one strong tournament away from international competition.

It’s a meaningful step in the BBA’s long-term strategy. By launching this summer tour, the federation is hoping to grow the domestic game while also placing Bahrain firmly on the map in one of basketball’s fastest-growing formats.

Fast, physical, and on the rise

Played on a half-court with one hoop and three players a side, 3x3 basketball is a condensed, faster-paced version of the traditional game. It was added to the Olympic programme in 2020 and featured again at Paris 2024, helping raise its profile around the world.

The BBA sees its potential as a tool for wider engagement, both from fans and new players, especially during the off-season months.

Summer tournament, long-term goal

This first edition of the Bahrain 3x3 Summer Tour is set to become an annual feature, giving the game a regular summer spotlight while feeding into Bahrain’s wider sporting ambitions.

While the men’s national team continues its push on the traditional five-a-side front, this new event adds another layer to the country’s basketball identity—one that’s fast, modern, and increasingly international.

All that begins Saturday, as 24 teams step onto the court for a summer of half-court battles with one eye on the scoreboard, and the other on the world stage.