GABORONE – Organised by the International Basketball Foundation (IBF), the IBF 3x3 Young Lions Cup is taking place this week-end, 2-3 December, in Botswana. 60 youths from 9 countries will be travelling to Gaborone to take part in the international final.

The 9 male and 6 female teams have qualified through national qualifiers organized in their respective countries. They are travelling between 29 and 30 November and are ready to play for the title.

All the youths will be taking part in a youth leadership workshop to learn about the power of basketball and how to use it to give back to their communities.

"We are extremely happy with the participation of 9 countries from the Southern African region in the inaugural edition of the IBF 3x3 Young Lions Cup", said IBF Director Florian Wanninger. "3x3 basketball was stimulated in smaller countries with limited resources and we hope with the youth leadership workshop the momentum will stay."

The final list of players has been announced. Here are the teams who will be representing their countries in the 1st edition of the Young Lions Cup:

U18 Men:
Botswana: Letso Tladi, Bojelo Tiroyakgosi, Karim Shehu, Keratile Dikakanyo
Burundi: Ritch Nshimiye, Clovis Josué Ishimwe, Billy Ishimwe, Donald Ndayihimbaze
Comoros: Maafou Nadiyou El Kaf, Salim Said Ibrahim, Hamada Fayade, Yahaya Djayad,
Djibouti: Mohamed Abdillahi Ahmed, Wahib Idris Isman, Ousleyeh Abdillahi Moussa, Moussa Omar Houssein
Mauritius: Yoel Gregory Andrew Wong Moi Sang, Ryan Kenzo Charles Mitchy, Jean - Phil Alexandre Wong Moi Sang, Jeremie Letandrie
Namibia: Gerson Vanster, Pedro Pasile, Mantius Amukoshi, Tireemukuru Toromba
Seychelles: Stan Jean, Khris Bouchereau, Beejay Bertin, Hensley Bristol
Swaziland: Themba Noumonvi, Ephraim Kambala, Wakhile Mavimbela, Julisa Mamba
Zimbabwe: Irvine Manzini, Weston Chitsora, Godfrey Tsomondo, Charles Mukweva

U18 Women:
Botswana: Katlego Gasehete Jankie, Ritha Rethabile Tonkope, Nsagwa Lerato Ramatebele, Motlatsi Machana
Burundi: Landra Nduwamahoro, Bénitha Kanyamuneza, Divine Irakoze, Santhiana Irakunda
Namibia: Petrina Aron, Idah Angolo, Lino Simao, Helena Shuumbwa
Seychelles: Christelle Cecile, Cheryl Marie, Claudia Marie, Michelle Ah-Kong
Swaziland: Hope Makin, Ashley Simelane, Nkambule Angel, Kelly Alexandra
Zimbabwe: Tadiwa A. Mabika, Happiness Maroto, Tanaka Banda, Takudzwa L. Viki