NAIROBI (Kenya) - For Kenya's Hilda Indasi, the switch to the national 3x3 basketball team has been a joy and has paid huge dividends within a short span.

The celebrated star said the team’s main focus now is to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics and she believes Kenya has what it takes to make it to the World's biggest sporting festival.

And to make it, Kenya placed in Pool B must shake off powerhouse Canada, Netherlands and Australia in the FIBA Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2 in Utsunomiya, Japan, May 3-5.

Hilda Indasi is seen in action against Angola at 2019 FIBA Women's AfroBasket in Dakar, Senegal

Indasi is a member of the team currently in strict training under coach Evelyne Kedogo. They jet out of the country this week to France where they will train before heading to Japan.

As part of their preparations, Kenya were in Toulouse, France for the 3x3 ProLeague and did well to finish 6th in a 12-team event. Their highlight was a 20-18 triumph over France.

“One thing that stood out about our team was the fact that we shoot the ball.” Indasi told FIBA.basketball in an interview this week.

“Shooting has led us to great victories. I don't think the Japan championship is any different, we need to go with the same attitude and see results.”

Hilda Indasi shows off her scoring prowess at 2023 Africa Cup in Cairo, Egypt

Indasi said the sky is the limit for the high-flying Kenya team that stunned host Egypt 22-19 at their back yard in Cairo to bag Gold in Africa Cup finals last year.

"It was historical and unique in the sense that we won against Egypt on their home ground. It was a clear display of our resilience as team Kenya.” Said one of Kenya’s most celebrated stars.

The result showed signs of bigger things to come and has seen more doors flung open for the Kenyans who now have their eyes firmly on the prize. 

"Kenya now has a seat at the table. Winning the game against France confirmed that our achievements are not by luck. We are good enough and deserve to go to the Olympics."

“The heart of not giving up, to me, that was one of the best breakthroughs in my basketball career,” she said.

After winning the championship in Egypt, Kenya were invited to a week-long elite FIBA organized camp in Tunisia where the team got vitals tips on 3x3 basketball.
                                                                                                                     Indasi 

The one-week training camp early this year, Indasi observed, gave the team a chance to train alongside elite 3x3 athletes and at the same time attend the coaching clinic run by the Serbian coach Danilo Lukic.

"I learned a lot about the 3x3 tactics and techniques. This training gave us a guideline on how to play the game and we gained more confidence doing the things we do."

"In my opinion the training in Tunisia was very necessary for the growth of our team.”

France was a great experience for the Kenya team. They had a chance to play against top sides and even managed to knock France out in the quarter finals.

“There was a lot of gains game wise because we were able to play many games against tough teams. It also taught us to be resilient even when things are difficult."

Indaisi, who turns 39 in May, has shown a stunning display of talent, commitment and team work over the years.

Team Kenya stunned hosts Egypt in the final of the Africa Cup

And coach Kedogo has this to say on her star performer: "Indasi is an experienced player, her leadership is unmatched and her desire to win and the motivation to her teammates. She has quick shots which is what is needed in 3x3. Besides, she is a fighter till the last whistle.”

“3x3 team has put Kenya on the basketball map again. We are excited that we can now be counted amongst the top teams in the game," the tactician beamed.

Indasi, who's logged 15 years for the national 5x5 side, debuted in 3x3 in 2022.

She says the transition was easy adding it is more fun and brings out her true personality in sports. 

"Quick decision making, which is the basis around 3x3 in my opinion, is the easy and fun part for me," she notes.

"The fact that I have a quick shot release. The difficult part is the agility, one has to be able to adjust to any situation in a split second."

Indasi watched many videos to improve her game and all this is evident. To her the move to try something different has paid off handsomely.

Beginning this week, a trio of 3x3 Olympic qualifying tournaments that starts in Hong Kong, China and ends in Debrecen, Hungary will determine the last five spots per gender for 3x3's second appearance at the Olympics.

FIBA