FIBA Asia President K. Govindaraj eyes India as host for World Junior 3x3 Championships

K. Govindaraj, the president of FIBA Asia, has expressed a strong ambition to bring the World Junior 3x3 Championships to India. The 67-year-old administrator, who is currently serving a term leading the continental governing body through 2027, indicated that he intends to formally present a proposal for the event during the FIBA Central Board Meeting scheduled for Geneva in early 2027.

While the plans remain in the preliminary stages without official confirmation, Govindaraj is targeting a tournament that would feature between 40 and 44 participating nations. He believes that hosting such a significant global competition would be a major step forward for the sport in India, noting the rapid rise in popularity of 3x3 basketball, which he described as the premier sport in many European regions.

Beyond international hosting duties, Govindaraj also addressed the domestic landscape, specifically regarding the Basketball Federation of India (BFI). He acknowledged that while the federation is making progress toward launching the Indian Basketball League next year, there is a clear need for a more aggressive approach to growth. He emphasized that the future of the sport in the country relies heavily on the development of younger talent, urging the BFI to prioritize intensive training camps for the under-16 and under-18 age groups to ensure a sustainable pipeline of players.