2014 Asian Beach Games 3x3 basketball: Qatar (Men), Chinese Taipei (Women) win gold; India Men capture silver medal

Basketball may not necessarily be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Thailand's beach paradise Phuket, but it was this very destination that hosted the 4th Asian Beach Games, a 10-day long celebration of various beach sports, which also featured a short 3x3 beach basketball tournament. For four days, 12 men's teams and eight women's teams from all over Asia took part in quickfire half-court basketball games at the Karon Beach in Phuket. On the final day of the knockouts - Tuesday, November 18 - Qatar (Men) and Chinese Taipei (Women) emerged as gold-medal winners.

After a wonderful run through the tournament where India's Men's squad had won all five of their Preliminary Round games, the quarter-final, and the semi-final, they fell by the closest of margins - one solitary point - to Qatar in the Final. India had to thus settle for a silver medal, still an admirable result for the team which finished fifth at the tournament's last iteration in Haiyang two years ago. India's Women - reigning champs from 2012 - could not repeat their success after choosing to send a far less experienced team to Phuket. India lost all three of their games to finish at seventh place.

The Men's final was a memorable affair between Qatar and India, with the latter attempting to win this tournament for the second time after a gold medal back in 2008. In a neck-to-neck game which was decided by just one point, Qatar edged India by the closest of margins - 21-20 - to win the tournament. Boney Watson led Qatar with nine points in the final while India's Vishesh Bhriguvanshi scored eight in the loss.

In a lower-scoring Women's final, Lo Pin scored eight points to help Chinese Taipei defeat China 15-13 and capture the gold medal.

Both the bronze medals were won by hosts Thailand. The Thai women defeated Mongolia 13-7 to win bronze while Thailand's Men edged Bangladesh in a close contest, 17-15.

Earlier in the day, India had shown no mercy to neighbours Bangladesh with a comfortable 21-6 victory in the Men's semi-final. Qatar had secured their place in the Men's final with a 21-16 win over Thailand. In the women's semi-finals, China had defeated Thailand 17-13 and Chinese Taipei had overcome Mongolia 17-10.

India's four-member squad in the Men's competition was led by Pratham Singh, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Amrit Pal Singh, and Yadwinder Singh. The star-studded squad - comprising of all players from the senior national men's team - finished the tournament with a 7-1 record with their only loss in the final.

India opened the tournament with a 21-9 win over Bhutan and a 21-4 thrashing of Laos later in the same day. India showed no mercy in front of the hostile home crowd to defeat Thailand 21-4. Their closest Preliminary stage win was against Mongolia, 18-4. India finished off the group stage to finish top of Group B with a head-turning 18-12 win against China. In the Quarter-Finals on Tuesday, India had dispatched Turkmenistan 21-11 before moving on to their semi-final and final contests against Bangladesh and Qatar.

At an average age of 20, Team India sent a younger squad to Phuket for the 3x3 tournament, led by Kavita Kumari, Jeena PS, Poojamol Kochuparambu, and Rajaganapathi Rajapriyadharshini. Despite some exciting young talent on offer, Indian eves failed to impress, finishing bottom of their group with three losses and failing to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.

India first game in Group A was also their best, but despite a strong defensive performance, they couldn't do enough to prevent losing 13-11 to the Philippines. Over the next two games, India also lost to China (18-12) and Mongolia (21-12). They finished the tournament 0-3 and at seventh place overall.

Final Standings

Men

• 1. Qatar
  
• 2. India
  
• 3. Thailand
  

Women

• 1. Chinese Taipei
  
• 2. China
  
• 3. Thailand
  

India back at 4th Asian Beach Games in Thailand to continue stellar basketball record - Rosters & Preview

India may still be taking baby steps up the Asian basketball ladder, but when it comes to the 3x3 version of the game, the country has been able to enjoy consistent success in the continent over the past few years. Most notably, India have been stellar in the Asian Beach Games, with the Men's team winning gold at the games' first 3x3 basketball tournament in Bali in 2008 and with the women winning gold at the most recent iteration of the tournament in Haiyang (China) two years ago.

Now, both of India's senior men and women head back to the beach to continue their streak of success.

The 4th Asian Beach Games will begin in Phuket (Thailand) tomorrow - November 14th - and held until the closing ceremony on November 23rd. A total of 43 Asian nations will participate in 26 sporting events, including 3x3 beach basketball.

The basketball tournament for men and women is slated to be held over four days from November 15-18 at Karon Beach in Phuket. 15 Men's teams and nine Women's teams are schedule to compete for the basketball medals. (You can find the full draw here). India's Men were drawn in Group B with China, Kuwait, Bhutan, Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand, Laos, and India's Women were placed in Group A along with China, Mongolia, and Philippines. The top two teams from each group – in both sections – will qualify to play criss-cross Semi-Finals.

The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) released the roster and coaching staff list of names representing India at the tournament yesterday. FIBA Referee Zanim Hashim will be travelling with the teams as well.

Women

• Kavita Kumari
  
• Jeena PS
  
• Poojamol Kochuparambu
  
• Rajaganapathi Rajapriyadharshini 
• Head Coach: Ashok Rangeen
  

At an average age of 20, this is a young Indian team, but still loaded with a lot of experience. India may not have the supreme talents of Geethu Anna Jose or Anitha Paul Durai that helped us win the gold two years ago, but the new crop of stars - out of whom I'm expecting the Kerala duo of Jeena and Poojamol to shine the brightest - should still be able to play at a high level. India will play against China - the team they defeated in 2012 to win the gold - in the preliminary round.

Men

• Pratham Singh
  
• Vishesh Bhriguvanshi
  
• Amrit Pal Singh
  
• Yadwinder Singh 
• Head Coach: KK Chansoria
  

After finishing fifth in Haiyang in 2012, India's Men's team aren't messing around, naming a roster with their eyes focused only on winning the gold. This is a strong Indian team, with all four members a regular part of India's senior basketball squad and all four experienced at the Beach Games or 3x3 level too. Like the Women, India's Men will have to deal with China, too, but as long as they can make it in good form into the semi-final stage, this team has the talent required to go all the way. I expect national team captain Amrit Pal Singh to be the difference-maker for this squad.

India drawn in 4th Asian Beach Games (Thailand) 3x3 basketball tournament

The official draw for the 3x3 basketball tournaments at the 4th Asian Beach Games was completed on Tuesday, September 9: India's Women will be setting out to defend their gold medal clinching performance at this tournament two years ago. India's Men's side - who won gold in 2008 but finished fifth in 2012 - will also be taking part with hopes to bring back some silverware.

The 4th Asian Beach Games are set to be held in Phuket (Thailand) from November 14-23, 2014. The 3x3 basketball tournament at the games - which will be played at Karon Beach - will be held from November 15-18. 15 Men's teams and nine Women's teams are schedule to compete for the basketball medals.

Men's Draw

• Group A: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Turkmenistan.
  
• Group B: Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Laos, Mongolia, Thailand.
  

Women's Draw

• Group A: China, India, Mongolia, Philippines.
  
• Group B: Ch. Taipei, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Vietnam.
  

The top two teams from each group – in both sections – will qualify to play cris-cross Semi-Finals.

India's women shocked hosts China at the 3rd Asian Beach Games in Haiyang by winning the gold medal game two years ago. It was an undefeated run by Indian eves who won all five of their games including a thrilling comeback victory over the hosts. Geethu, Anna Jose and Anitha Paul Durai scored the crucial last points to give India the final victory. India’s Men’s squad finished the tournament 5-1 at fifth place.