National, international teams compete in Sikkim Slam 3x3

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: MLA Erung Tenzing Lepcha on Friday declared the Sikkim Slam 3x3 Basketball Tournament open at Paljor Stadium - the first professionally organised and FIBA-endorsed 3x3 basketball tournament in the State.

Present at the opening ceremony were chief patron MLA Aditya Golay, Gangtok DC Tushar G. Nikhare, Chief Minister’s additional political secretary (Gangtok) Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha, and other dignitaries.

The Sikkim Slam 3x3 Basketball Tournament features 34 teams from across India, as well as neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan. It is being organised under the chief patronage of Soreng-Chakung MLA Aditya Golay by the Gangtok District Administrative Centre and Gangtok District Police, in association with Freedom Rehabilitation Facility and Ravens Basketball Club.

The three-day tournament, which concludes on Sunday, also aims to engage youth in sports and spread public awareness about the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ and ‘Nasha Mukt Sikkim’ missions.

“The best part of this tournament is that it not only engages youth in sports but also supports the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ and ‘Nasha Mukt Sikkim’ missions. Our government is actively promoting sports to engage youth and children in healthy activities, while also supporting them to reach national and international levels,” said Erung Tenzing Lepcha.

Aditya Golay, in his remarks, extended his best wishes to all participating teams. He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay for promoting sports and encouraging new initiatives like the Sikkim Slam 3x3.

The 3x3 format, played three-a-side on a half court with a single backboard, is designed for speed, agility, and quick decision-making. Each game lasts 10 minutes or until a team scores 21 points, making it an intense and spectator-friendly version of the sport that has rapidly gained popularity worldwide.

Promoted and structured globally by FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, the 3x3 format has grown significantly on the international circuit and has now made its debut in Sikkim.

Speaking to the media, Ravens Basketball Club general secretary Paljor Rilon Wangdi described the tournament as a milestone for basketball in Sikkim, noting its endorsement by FIBA.

The Sikkim tournament can now be followed worldwide through FIBA’s official website.

“It is a major achievement, and from next year we aim to upgrade to the FIBA Challenger level. Our goal is to scale up and eventually host international teams,” he said.

He added that the organisers are looking to create partnerships with FIBA Challengers in other countries, outlining a roadmap where winning teams could progress to similar events in other nations.

The three-day tournament carries attractive cash prizes for both winners and runners-up in the men’s and women’s categories. In the men’s event, the champions will receive Rs 2 lakh, while the runners-up will get Rs 1 lakh. In the women’s category, the winners will be awarded Rs 1 lakh and the runners-up Rs 50,000.

The semi-finals and finals will be held on Sunday.