Yas Mall has today announced that it will host the Abu Dhabi 3×3 Challenger, the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) World Tour Qualifying Masters game.
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The sport, known as streetball, is the largest urban team sport in the world with an estimated number of 250 million players that is played three a side on one hoop.
The Abu Dhabi 3×3 Challenger will be staged in Town Square on the 14th and 15th of May and will be the first sports tournament to be held in Yas Mall. The best teams from the UAE, the GCC, Europe and Asia will be competing against each other with the winning team going on to play in the Manila event in June.
“We are trying to build a legacy for 3×3 basketball and I am very happy that we can host a major international tournament like the Abu Dhabi 3×3 Challenger,” said H.E. Khalid Al Hanaei, Chairman of 3×3 Basketball from the UAE Basketball Association.
“We want to make people aware that Abu Dhabi will host the most important 3×3 basketball event of the year, the World Tour Final, and we are using every opportunity to do so. This new discipline offers a lot of fun for spectators who can also engage in different activities during the tournament.”
In addition, the best five players in the FIBA 3×3 World Ranking will participate as part of the Al Wahda Abu Dhabi Team, including the World Number 1 Dejan Majstorovic from Serbia and his teammates.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Development Officer at Aldar Properties, commented: “Since its launch, Yas Mall has quickly become home to many exciting events that cater to all interests- including some of the most popular in the region.
“We are pleased to partner with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in bringing the Abu Dhabi 3×3 Challenger and look forward to welcoming all basketball fans to a thrilling event.”
The Abu Dhabi 3×3 Challenger event is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in partnership with the UAE Basketball Association, Extra International Sports, Sport Arena, Emirates Motor Company, Red Bull and Nike.