India wins double gold at South Asian Beach Games 3x3 Basketball in Sri Lanka

It was double success for India’s 3-on-3 (3x3) basketball teams at the 1st South Asian Beach Games (SABG) in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday, as both the Indian Men and Women won the gold medal after defeating Sri Lanka and Maldives in their respective finals. Both of India’s basketball squads finished the three-day competition undefeated, with 4-0 records.

Although real Beach Basketball is played on sand, the competition at the SABG showcased an outdoor version of the 3x3 basketball format, a modified version of the game which is played in the half-court. Each team is allowed just three players on the court and the 10-minute game can only go up to a maximum of 21 points.

In the Men’s final, Sri Lanka took a confident start, but India quickly fought back and held on to a three point lead at halftime. Behind eight points by Jagdeep Singh, India extended their lead to clinch the win, 21-16.

Earlier, on Sunday and Monday, India’s Men’s side had won all three of their group games, defeating Maldives, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

India also dominated the women’s final, defeating Maldives by 17-7 on Tuesday evening. India’s Women’s side had also won all their earlier games on the previous two days, defeating Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Final Standings

Men

1. India
2. Sri Lanka
3. Maldives

Women

1. India
2. Maldives
3. Sri Lanka

BFI announces India’s basketball contingent at 1st South Asian Beach Games in Sri Lanka

The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) will send both Men and Women Senior basketball teams to the 1st South Asian Beach Games that will be held in Hanbantota, Sri Lanka, from October 8-16, 2011. India will be amongst eight South Asian countries taking part in the Games, and the 3x3 Beach Basketball tournament from October 9-11 will feature four-player contingents sent from India in both the Men’s and the Women’s divisions. In addition, India will also be sending three FIBA officials to this event.

Hosts Sri Lanka will welcome Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan to the 2011 South Asian Beach Games, which will feature competitions in 12 sports: Beach Basketball, Beach Football, Beach Handball, Beach Kabbadi, Beach Netball, Beach Volleyball, Beach Body Building, Equestrian, Life Saving, Sailing, Swimming, and Triathlon.

The Beach Basketball tournament will be a modified 3-on-3 version of basketball, played with regulations similar to the FIBA 3x3 rules. Each team will have three starting players and one substitute.

The Indian Women’s contingent will be led by Pete Gaudet, the experienced American head coach of India’s National Senior Women’s team. Mr. Rajinder Singh will be leading the charge for India’s Men’s squad. Both the Men’s and Women’s teams will consist of some of the players who represented India in the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women in Japan and the 26th FIBA Asia Championship in China, respectively.

Indian Teams for the Beach Basketball competition at the 1st South Asian Beach Games in Hanbantota (Sri Lanka) – October 8-16, 2011:

Men

Yadwinder Singh

Jagdeep Singh

Vishesh Bhriguvanshi

Talwinderjit Singh Sahi

Coach: Rajinder Singh

Women

Geethu Anna Jose

Anitha Paul Durai

Raspreet Sidhu

Prashanti Singh

Coach: Pete Gaudet

Officials

Naresh Chander Aneja

Rajan Vellingirinathan

Anupam Sharma