The first Latin American 3x3 Mini Basketball Festival: Managua 2019

MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – The Nicaraguan Basketball Federation (FENIBAL), with the City of Managua and in collaboration with the National Honduran Basketball Federation (FENABAH), established an alliance with the goal of promoting and developing Mini Basketball in Nicaragua to organize the first International Festival in Managua for the U12 3x3 category from December 4 to 9, 2019.

The entire development of the Festival takes place under FIBA Mini Basketball. This is a fun-filled event with local characteristics adapted to the vision that the IBF fosters in all continents. Broadening a Mini Basketball movement focused on the children as a fundamental pillar of the growth of basketball around the world is its main objective while respecting cultures and forwarding the game as a learning tool.

The event will take place in the Alexis Argüello Sports Complex, thanks to the complete sponsorship and full organization by the City of Managua. Nicaragua's House of Basketball was opened on November 25, 2017, and hosts locker rooms, team and staff offices, a medical office, a referee room, a conference room, and a press and technology zone. It also has an internet connection, fireproof systems, special lights show systems, 3D mapping projector, and an LED cube.

"Mini Basketball is the source for adult category talents in each one of our countries. It's one of the most important axes in the development of basketball in our countries. This aims to ensure we have high-performance athletes of a better level and, in the future, better national team appearances in international competitions. I'm happy with the great job being done with the organization in this international Mini event, which is why I wish to thank and congratulate each one of the people that have contributed their part for this event to take place. Without a doubt, it's going to be a great success," said to FIBA.basketball Marcela Mejía Cano, President of the Nicaraguan Basketball Federation.

The Organizing Committee's commitment is to create an interactive space where children and adults can benefit from an event with several objectives, learn about Mini Basketball in all countries, and bring together a population interested in growing Mini 5x5 and 3x3.

The City of Managua has worked a lot to foster the growth of basketball. “After the Central American Games in Nicaragua we've taken great steps forward and developed tournaments in all categories, as well as the COCABA Clubs Tournaments 2018 and the COCABA Central American U14 Tournament 2019, which will be held in November,” said the City of Managua to FIBA.basketball.

The agenda states that the first Latin American 3x3 Mini Basketball Festival 2019 in Managua shall be divided into three stages:

1. Conference/Talks cycle: Panelists will share ideas on the Mini Basketball movement in their respective countries to foster the connection of local and regional development.

2. 3x3 Mini Festival: the 3x3 modality was chosen to allow for an interesting experience of play and learning.

3. Camp/Jamboree: for participating children, to forward a social sports project under the IBF's Basketball for Good initiative.

There will also be a small technical congress, a team photo session, and opportunities to share with other countries in touristic activities to celebrate the 200 years of the City of Managua.

“I went to Managua to meet with FENIBAL and the City, who included me in the Organizing Committee. We strongly believe that the cooperation between countries fosters projects like Mini Basketball with strength. We play, we learn and we grow together. We have a stimulus and learning zone that includes new experiences for youth sports. It's time for Mini Basketball Festivals to integrate educational and developmental aspects. I showed the hosts a list of benefits of the 3x3 format and its importance of introducing the Olympic modality to Mini Basketball, and it was accepted,” said to FIBA.basketball Carmen Cubas, FENABAH Mini Basketball Coordinator.

“I've been working on the Festival's organization. My motivation is that Honduras Mini Basketball’s first anniversary is in December and it's a way to celebrate with the children of the Americas the love that brings us together for Mini basketball and that they can experience a sports festival that brings them back to their achievements throughout 2019,” he added.

The Organizing Committee is also planning on expanding the Festival with its 2020 vision, including a women’s 3x3 Mini Basketball category, supported by the example of other Mini Basketball initiatives in Honduras.

Another significant example has been the top-tier coaches that have given workshops to the country's children and support preparing national teams in FIBA competitions. In the Superior Basketball League, champion team Real Estelí will have their first appearance in the Basketball Champions League Americas, and the first Latin American Mini 3x3 Tournament will take place in Nicaragua in another effort to strengthen national basketball.

Some of the international speakers that have confirmed their attendance are: Adriano Macías, FIBA Coach of the Panama Basketball Federation; René Navarrete Godoy, Technical 3x3 Coordinator of the Chilean Basketball Federation; Pablo Arroyo, FIBA Coach of the Costa Rican Basketball Federation; and Aaron Tavitas, USA Basketball Coach.

Like this, Managua is committed to creating the first 3x3 Mini Basketball Festival based on innovation, technology that forwards children's sports, learning and sharing experiences, culture, and fun, to give the first step forward to growing 3x3 Mini Basketball in the Americas.

FIBA