3×3 basketball takes City of Progress by storm

GWERU, fondly known as the City of Progress, has transformed the iconic Gweru Sports Club’s basketball court into a bustling arena, captivating both the young and the old with the pulse-pounding rhythm of 3×3 basketball.

The allure of 3×3 basketball lies in its simplicity and adaptability, rendering it a game that can be played almost anywhere by virtually anyone. It’s no wonder that this dynamic variant has swept through Gweru with an irresistible force.

In the realm of 3×3 basketball, all that is required is a hoop, a half-court, and six eager players. It’s basketball distilled to its elemental essence, inviting participation with open arms.

This thrilling version of the game showcased its splendour at the prestigious 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where Team England clinched the coveted gold. The fast-paced nature and intuitive setup of 3×3 make it an instant hit, both in competitive arenas and recreational spaces.

The beauty of 3×3 lies in its ease of organisation and play, whether indoors or under the open sky. With its innovative individual and team ranking system, it beckons players from all walks of life, spanning from local enthusiasts to international luminaries. Moreover, a user-friendly digital platform has paved the way for seamless organisation and interaction, orchestrating a spirited battle against alcohol and substance abuse.

Brimming with swiftness and excitement, 3×3 guarantees a surge of adrenaline for all participants. Its compact size and rapid pace ensure more touches and more scoring opportunities, making it a prime training ground for traditional 5×5 basketball while exuding an abundance of standalone enjoyment.

The space-efficient design and streamlined rules render 3×3 a universal option, embracing individuals of all ages and skill levels. Unlike the elaborate setup required for traditional 5×5 basketball, which demands ten players and dual stanchions, 3×3 embraces a more inclusive approach, making it accessible to those with a single hoop and a thirst for play.

Godfrey “Godfather” Chakurangei stands at the forefront of this transformative wave, orchestrating a captivating 34-team league that ignites the courts of Gweru Sports Club every Saturday night until the end of August. Hailing from various corners of the nation, these teams are uniting under the banner of 3×3 basketball, symbolising camaraderie and spirited competition.

Chakurangei’s visionary efforts are reinforced by Mahogany Lighting and Sound and Bowling Club, united in their fight against substance abuse.

“We have teams from across Zimbabwe, from Harare, Bulawayo, Zvishavane and other parts of the country. We started on July 15, 2023 and we are going to complete the league at the end of August.

“Next year we are going to have a bigger and better league. I would like to thank our sponsors Mahogany Sound and Bowling Club for their unwavering support. With them, we will keep going. We are also using this platform to teach the youths against drug and substance abuse,” Chakurangei said.

Riaz “Raza” Petker, Tatenda “Mash” Mashonganyika, and Ngonidzashe “DJ Xrey” Ndlela, the brilliant minds propelling Mahogany and Bowling Club, infuse the 3×3 games with a profound sense of community development, unity, and a commitment to a vibrant and healthy lifestyle.

The event stands as a beacon of togetherness, weaving people from diverse backgrounds into a tapestry of shared skills and aspirations. DJ Xrey, the maestro behind the scenes, promised an exciting array of community-driven sporting events in the future.

“We appreciate the incredible support from the people of Gweru and look forward to organising more community-centred sporting events in the future. Together, we are building a stronger community through sports and fostering unity. The enthusiasm and participation of the people is greatly appreciated,” he said.

The fervour of this movement was further amplified by the endorsement of Zimbabwe national team captain Vitalis Chikoko, who heralded 3×3 basketball as a vital platform for budding players to flourish and elevate their careers.

“A couple of my teammates in France play that tournament and I would like to see it develop here in Zimbabwe so that our youngsters here get such an opportunity.

“Right now I’m the only professional player from Zimbabwe playing in Europe so we need to support such initiatives like the 3X3 which gives a platform for the young players to be seen. I’m one lucky guy who got an opportunity to be seen and went on to turn professional so I want to do the same and support the youths,” Chikoko said.

Joe Mujuru, the president of the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ), ignited a compelling debate by asserting basketball’s supremacy over cricket, labelling it the second most followed sport in the nation after football. The bustling crowds that grace club-level basketball matches serve as a testament to the sport’s widespread appeal, fuelling Mujuru’s conviction.

“Without sounding arrogant or stirring a hornet’s nest, basketball is probably bigger than cricket. Zimbabwe has over 200 clubs participating at national level. I’m not showing off but we are big. The numbers that you see at club basketball matches is just a testimony of how big we are. Club basketball draws large crowds and even when we have the national team playing we have huge numbers coming in to support,” Mujuru said.

Determined to ride the wave of global momentum, the BUZ envisions constitutional amendments to propel the 3×3 variant to the forefront.

“3X3 is an Olympic sport now and this could be our fastest way to Olympics or the World Cup. This version is more suited for us here in Southern Africa because of our stature. We are going to have somebody within the executive to look into the development of the 3X3 version,” he said.