Senegal aims for new successes in 3×3 basketball and Dakar 2026

3×3 basketball is a homecoming moment of sorts for basketball

it became 3×3 A must-see event at the Youth Olympic Games since the inaugural edition Singapore 2010,

Paris 2024 It was the second appearance of 3×3 at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 2021And Mamadou Cisse Diaw He carefully followed the events on and off the field.

The ambience and fast-paced action, described as a 10-minute sprint between offense and defense, created a moment of nostalgia for the retired basketball player.

“I played basketball for 20 years and I always say I learned basketball with 3×3,” said Diaw, who grew up playing on public street courts.

“Culturally, kids play this every day. In schools and neighborhoods, the difference is only in the rules and the pace. So growing up here we all played 3×3 and abroad we mastered 5v5 basketball. That’s why when we play abroad, people are amazed by our skills.”

“3×3 basketball has always been practiced in Senegal,” retired player Mbaye added.

“Maybe not in its current form, but we always played 3×3 in every neighborhood, in schools, on the streets. A popular discipline in its old format… and seeing it at Dakar 2026 could be a big attraction because we love basketball in Senegal and play it everywhere.

For Diaw, who is tasked with popularizing the game, 3×3 amplifies the fundamental fundamentals of basketball with its focus on power and speed, which should be a major draw ahead of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

“There was great interest from young people. The 3×3 basketball commission was established in 2019 to popularize 3×3 basketball in Senegal. We organized promotional tours throughout Senegal and participated in various tournaments. We also organized trainings in high schools and used this moment to teach them the rules of the game.”