Bearlina 3×3 spotlights girls’ basketball

The inaugural Bearlina 3×3 Girls Basketball Tournament took place last Saturday at the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) in Windhoek, with young female players taking the court.

The event brought together 50 enthusiastic U/18 players, coaches, and technical officials and served as a vibrant platform to showcase local raw talent, intense court rivalries, and exemplary sportsmanship.

The tournament, organised by Jacobina Uushona and Rachel Tjite, was aimed at creating a dedicated platform for girls to compete, connect and gain greater visibility in basketball.

Speaking after the finals, an excited participant, Twapewa Nakanyala could not hide her joy about the initiative.

“It was so fun playing against other girls and making new friends. I learned that we can also lead on the court, and I can’t wait for the next games!” she said.

The tournament was organized under the auspices of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Foundation Youth Leaders Mascot Education Program and directly aligns with the global build-up to the highly anticipated 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, from 4 to 13 September 2026.

The 3×3 format was deliberately chosen because of its fast-paced and accessible nature, while allowing more players to get court time compared to traditional 5×5 basketball.

Uushona said the tournament is not necessarily being positioned as a direct pathway to national-team selection, but rather as an opportunity to build a stronger community around girls’ basketball and encourage more competitions.

To wrap up this year’s historic circuit, basketball enthusiasts can look forward to the next installment.

The U/12, U/14, and U/16 girls’ tournaments will take place later this month on 29 August 2026, returning to the DHPS courts to officially conclude the youth series for the calendar year.

-hnalupe@nepc.com.na