3x3 - Interview with Manuel Carballo
WINDHEOK (3x3) - It all started at the age of 12 for Manuel Carballo, back in Erongo, Namibia when he started the first basketball team at his school. From 2002 and 2011 he travelled to places like England and Canada, developing his coaching skills but also studying.
Now he's back in Namibia working for the country's Basketball Federation, helping promote basketball as well as 3x3 basketball. He consecrates all of his time and energy to his dream because he wants to give to the community and youth what he never had.
Name/Surname: Manuel Carballo
Age: 35 years old
Studies:
Regent Academy - Personal Fitness Training & Nutrition diploma, Open College United Kingdom - Sports Psychology
Current activities:
Sports & Development for the Namibian Basketball Federation
The Federation will host on the third and fourth of December a 3x3 tournament in Windhoek, Namibia. Several African countries plan to make the trip to participate at this wonderful event, that will propel 3x3 basketball to new heights across the African continent.
FIBA: How is basketball growing in Namibia?
Manuel Carballo: At the moment it's doing quite well, it's going in the right direction. I'm really trying to push the development in the good direction, we had clinics and we're having a FIBA Africa Young Coaches Clinic at the end of October.
We want to try to educate the coaches and the officials so that the fundamentals are correct and well understood. From there we'll go to the schools and start grassroots programs, we also want to try and accommodate them with the necessary equipment so they can offer kids a chance to play this great sport.
FIBA: In taking these steps have you noticed an increase and bigger enthusiasm for basketball as a whole?
Manuel Carballo: Yes, yes there's been a tremendous increase for basketball. For example, since I've been back in Namibia or more specifically in the Erongo region, we've jumped from two to eleven teams in a very short time frame.
One of the main things I do is that I go to schools and I invite all the players in the area, then I coach them all the basic fundamentals of basketball. So that they in turn can go to their friends and show the same things and that's basically how it spreads.
It might seem a bit slow but it's definitely increasing even as we speak.
FIBA: How did you get the idea of Sand Storm?
Manuel Carballo: We have a creative team on board and it was a team effort and because it relates strongly to Namibia and the deserts being a big part of our identity. The majestic dunes, the passion for basketball in Namibia and when you put the two together and you have a sand storm coming at you.
FIBA: Do you see Sand Storm as being a breakthrough for 3x3 basketball in Namibia and possibly even Africa?
Manuel Carballo: Yes, of course! Back in the day when I was twelve years old we played 3x3, I truly believe that one learns the individual skills from 3x3. I mean they don't play five on five, they play 3x3 or two on two because it's more fun and you need less people to actually play.
Through 3x3 I also teach my players because if they can't play with three guys then they most certainly won't be able to play with five players. I've been dreaming about this Streetball thing for a very long time now, I've always been involved in it. I think that Sand Storm will really bring the storm, a big storm in a positive way.
We really need this because in some regions in Africa you can't just start a league or even a team for population purposes. However with 3x3 it changes everything because it's not half as difficult to start a team or even a league especially now with the chance of going to the Olympics, this opens the door wide wide open.
The players will be a lot more motivated to compete and train so that's how I see Sand Storm impacting Namibia and Africa. It will really help to open the door for a lot of potential players who have the talent but just need a way to prove themselves. I can sense that there is great potential in Namibia waiting to be discovered.
FIBA: Do you think that 3x3 has the potential to be a top sport in the world?
Manuel Carballo: Definitely, this can be one the, or even the biggest sport in the world! The important thing is to work with the right people, have the right contacts and that will help grow the sport. But you know Rome wasn't built in one day, everything takes time. It all depends on the people who really want this to move forward.
It's about you and the person going out there and doing what you love to do and helping out. The only way we can move forward with FIBA, FIBA Africa and all the other zones is with people like us who have this vision, put ideas together also work in unity and that's how it will work.
FIBA: Where do you see 3x3 basketball within the next five to ten years in Namibia and around the globe?
Manuel Carballo: Well I think that by then it will be the number one sport, I think this sport can overtake football. If we have the right structure in place, as well as people like I said before then there's no reason why it shouldn't become the number one sport in the world. Easy easy, you will see.
I'm telling you man this is the future of basketball! One thing about me is that I don't think at all, I'm a visionary kind of guy. I envision something and I go for it, just like with Sand Storm. This is only the beginning and a lot of doors will open for all of the countries! Let us build the game we love together for the better of the youth and the future of basketball. We are basketball! We are one!
FIBA