Lomé to host FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2017

LOME, Togo (FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2017) - The first-ever edition of the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup will take place in Lomé, Togo on November 3-5 2017.
"We are proud and honored to become the first national federation to host the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup", Togo National Basketball Federation President André Goungou said.
"3x3 has become extremely popular in the country and we are confident that the local fans will come in numbers and create a special atmosphere for the delegations coming from all over the continent," Goungou added.

22 teams (12 men’s and 10 women’s) from 12 different countries will compete in the covered outdoor venue of the Stade Omnisport Eyadema de Lomé.

"It is a great satisfaction for us to have the first edition of the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup and to bring it to Togo," FIBA First Vice-President and FIBA 3x3 Advisor Board Chairman Hamane Niang told FIBA.basketball.

"This is a formidable chance for the best teams in Africa to start preparing for the goal to play at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup and in just 3 years at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics," Niang continued.

The 12 men’s teams have been seeded in 4 pools of 3 and the 10 women’s teams in 2 pools of 5 according to the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking.

In the men’s category, the top 2 teams from each pool will advance to the knock-out rounds, which start at the quarter-finals stage.

Egypt will be the team to beat in the men’s category since they’re the only African team to ever play at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup (3 appearances in 2012, 2016 and 2017).

In the women’s category, the top 2 teams from each pool will also make it to the knock-out rounds, but starting directly with the semi-finals.

Uganda will be the favorite in the women’s category after shining at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2014 and developing their young talents through their participation in the FIBA 3x3 Fast Track program.

A Shoot-Out Contest featuring 1 player from both men’s and women’s teams will also be organized besides the team event.
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ABOUT FIBA 3x3
Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.
It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour (www.fiba.basketball/3x3worldtour) and national-team FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
On June 9 2017, 3x3 was addded to the Olympic Program, starting from the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Nike is FIBA 3x3's Founding Partner.
FIBA 3x3 events are played on Sport Court's floors with Schelde backstops and Magic Sky canopies, and benefit from Wilson's innovative and specially-made ball for 3x3.

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