Van2017 along with the Pacific Games Council, Basketball Vanuatu and FIBA Oceania have announced the inclusion of 3 x 3 Basketball into the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.
CEO of Van2017 Clint Flood said that “adding 3 x 3 as our 14th sport of these Games—just made simple sense.”
“We wanted to make sure that the sports program for both weeks of the Games was packed out with excitement. We had some time in the schedule in the second week of the sports program—Dec 11-15 to fill so when FIBA Oceania approached us through the Pacific Games Council for some thoughts we were excited. We needed to look for a sport where the impact on our venues, villages and costs would be minimal, and with a sport already approved as part of the Pacific Games Charter, 3 x 3 fit perfectly. The format of this sport which is now going to be in the 2020 Olympics, fits well with our other 13 sports. It is fast action packed into a couple of days of competition and will give fans yet another outlet to express their love for sport.”
With the Games now less than 145 days away the decision to incorporate this sport needed to be done now. Some 10 teams from across the Pacific are now expected to participate in the 3 x 3 format.
The President of Basketball Vanuatu, Franck Franconieri, was delighted with the announcement. “This is a sport we can compete well in—it gives our players a showcase and opportunity to participate in the largest event to take place in Vanuatu. We will field strong teams in both mens and womens sides.”
Mr Franconieri is confident that the roar of the crowds from Korman Complex for the basketball Competition will ring loud and clear in December across Port Vila and around the Pacific.
Van2017 is also happy to announce that the ticketing plan for the 2017 Pacific Mini Games will be announced next week and will provide information on ticket prices, sports schedule and venues.