Singapore’s growing role on the international 3×3 basketball calendar will take another step forward this week, with four consecutive days of world-class action at *SCAPE.
The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series will make its Singapore debut on 13 and 14 August, before the FIBA 3×3 Singapore Challenger follows on 15 and 16 August.
For Singapore’s national players, the back-to-back events come at an important point in the season, shortly after the Commonwealth Games and with the Asian Games ahead.
Singapore women get first taste of Women’s Series at home
The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series is the leading international circuit for professional women’s 3×3 basketball, featuring national teams and some of the world’s top sides.
Singapore’s first stop on the circuit will feature 16 teams from 13 countries, including two home teams.
Lydia Ang, Han Xingyue, Jermaine Lim and Matilda Lai will represent Singapore, while Denise Choo, Lim Lek Kar, Choy Ting Tang and Kindra Sim will compete as Lion City.
For Lai, the opportunity to compete against high-level international opposition without leaving home is especially valuable.
“Having the Women’s Series in Singapore for the first time is a major opportunity for us,” said the 20-year-old.
“We have just come through the Commonwealth Games, and competing at home against strong international teams, including several top Asian nations, will help us understand what we need to work on and prepare for the Asian Games.
“It also means a great deal to us to be able to play in front of our families, friends and Singapore supporters.”
Men return to Challenger action
Immediately after the Women’s Series, attention will turn to the Singapore Challenger.
The men’s professional event returns following June’s Lion City Challenger, which was also held at *SCAPE.
Sixteen teams from 15 countries will compete, with the top three finishers earning qualification for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Malaga.
Singapore will field Zhenyu Ching, Xu Duanyang, Nur Aufa Emil and Mohamed Zahid, all of whom recently competed at the Commonwealth Games and were also part of the country’s SEA Games silver-medal-winning squad.
For Zahid, the chance to play another Challenger at home is about more than just the result.
“Playing another Challenger event in Singapore gives us another chance to compete against some of the strongest professional teams in the world,” said the 19-year-old.
“These are the matches that challenge us and help us grow. With the Asian Games coming up, every opportunity to face quality opposition is important for our preparation.”
He added: “There is always extra motivation when we play at home. We want to put in a performance that Singaporeans can be proud of, but we also know that this is part of a longer journey.
“Competing regularly at this level will help us become more consistent and better prepared for major competitions.”
More than a one-off
The four-day stretch is also another marker of Singapore’s longer-term push in 3×3 basketball.
Under an expanded partnership between Sport Singapore and FIBA, Singapore is set to host two Challenger events and one Women’s Series stop annually through 2031, while the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup will return from 2028 for a further four years.
Before that, Singapore will host the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in 2027, which is the first time the sport’s flagship global competition will be staged in Southeast Asia.
The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Singapore takes place at *SCAPE on 13 and 14 August, followed by the FIBA 3×3 Singapore Challenger on 15 and 16 August. Admission is free.
