The leaders of the sports departments of African universities whose student-athletes participated in the 5th FASU 3×3 Basketball Championship commended the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Sport Division and University Sport South Africa (USSA) teams for organising a successful event. The championship was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from June 22-25, 2023.
UJ and USSA teams worked with representatives from the Federation of African University Sport (FASU) to organise the event. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) included event and club managers, administration staff, volunteers, drivers, coaches, and referees, among other professionals.
“Thank you to everyone who had a part in the organisation and execution of this competition. Well done. The American University in Cairo (AUC) applauds you all for a job well done,” said Sharif El Erian Director of Sports at the AUC.
“UJ supported USIU-Africa in the past three championships held in Nairobi, Kenya. We promised to participate in the upcoming events that they host and we will continue to support any other host in the future. Well done for a succesful championship,” said Boniface from USIU-Africa in Kenya.
Although the UJ senior men’s team fell short of just four (4) points to advance to the final, which would have automatically qualified them to compete in the FISU 3×3 University World Cup Basketball, the team delivered an organised event watched online by thousands of people across the world.
A total of 13,801 people in more than ten countries across the world tuned in to watch the games through the University’s official YouTube channel. These numbers exclude the number of views on Vision View TV, the streaming company’s online platform.
USSA CEO, Ms Marissa Langeni, said, “Thank you for a phenomenal event. Your event delivery, teamwork, passion and professionalism was next to none. You can be very proud of yourselves for a well executed event. Siyabonga for raising the South African flag high.”
Tens of student-basketeers, coaches and other professional leaders descended to Johannesburg to compete for and oversee the crowing of the African champions. The games were characterised by electrifying and exceptional basketball skills.
The UJ Orange Wave (men’s team) reached maximum winning points (21) in four of the five pool matches, losing just one match (18-21) to the Eagles of Egypt’s American University in Cairo. The UJ gents opened their winning ways with a 21-0 over the University of Mauritius, 21-6 against the University of Zambia, 21-10 against United States International University in Africa, and 21-7 against Levy Mwanawasa Medical University as well as 21-14 against the University of Ghana.
The Orange Wave were knocked out of the tournament in the semi-final, losing 17-21 to Ghana’s University of Cape Coast team who went on to be champions of the 2023 FASU 3×3 Basketball Champions.
On the women’s side, the American University in Cairo (AUC) ladies, known as the Eagles of Egypt, emerged as the triumphant champions of the 2023 FASU 3×3 Basketball Championship. From the start, the AUC ladies dominated the tournaments games, defeating Kenya’s USIU-Africa ladies 21-15. The AUC left no stone unturned, winning all their games.
In an exhilarating men’s final, Ghana’s University of Cape Coast (UCC) gents claimed the championship title by overcoming Kenya’s USIU-Africa gents with a final 21-12 score. The UCC team showcased exceptional teamwork and resilience, solidifying their status as the champions of the 2023 FASU 3×3 Basketball Championship.
UJ’s senior women’s team won just one out of four games, defeating locals North West University (Vaal Campus) 16-13. They went through to the quarter-final match and lost 8-20 to Makerere University.
The winners and runners-up of the competition (UCC / USIU men and AUC / USIU women) have qualified to represent the African continent in the upcoming FISU University World Cup 3×3 Basketball later this year.
