Tahiti focusing on 3x3 to prepare for future events

PAPEETE (Tahiti) - Major international basketball tournaments in the Pacific may still be on hold but count Tahiti as one of the resourceful countries in the region to continue their basketball programs including their continuous development of 3x3.

National Basketball Development Officer, Arii Meuel said the Tahiti Basketball Federation has left no stone unturned amidst the world health crisis with local events for 3x3.

Included in Tahiti’s steps is the launch of their open 3x3 tournament featuring 70 teams and an official 3x3 season-long tournament for established ball clubs – all for the development of their 3x3 program.

“We aim to extend what we already put up in place, especially in the islands. We believe in the potential of 3x3 because it is accessible and easy to organize locally,” said Meuel, who is also the captain of the Men's national team.

Given the unique format, faster pace, and action-packed games, Meuel added that 3x3 has been patronized well in Tahiti – prompting them to continue stepping on the pedal with a string of events all year long.

Aside from official 3x3 tournaments in place, Exhibition games are also introduced in neighborhoods and the implementation of the 3x3 program in schools and academic institutions.

In the end, the ultimate goal is to find, discover and hone future national team players for the rising Tahiti federation that finished third in the 2019 Pacific Games women’s 3x3 and reigned supreme in the 2018 Polynesia Cup Women’s division.

Tahiti also captured a silver medal in the Pacific Games basketball event and finished at fourth place in the men’s 3x3.

"We did well in the last Pacific Games but we want to do even better in the next one, and laying down the foundation as early as possible is the key to success," shared Meuel.

Last year, Tahiti also dove into the grassroots level with a “Section Basket” program, a partnership with different schools and town clubs for additional practices and camps of teens from the U15, U14, U13, and U12 age-group.

FIBA