The 8th edition of the North East 3×3 Basketball Challenge was a huge success and Diphu Nihang and Shillong Labet were crowned champions in men’s and women’s categories. Organized by Touchline Basketball, in collaboration with the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, the sporting event is endorsed by FIBA3X3 the world body of 3×3 Basketball and the Meghalaya Basketball Association.
In the men’s category, Diphu Nihang defeated SYM Guwahati with a score line of 18-11 to claim the title. Diphu Nihang had defeated Monarchs in the semifinals with a score of 21-10 to book a place in the finals and SYM Guwahati just managed to pip Hotshots by 2 points in a closely battled semifinals. Nathan Abraham from Diphu Nihang was adjudged MVP for his all-round performance in the tournament.
In the women’s finals Shillong Labet which was represented by players like Raspreet Sidhu who is currently ranked Indian no 1 in 3×3 basketball will team up with Rashi Khotani, Ishika Choudhary and Garima Gosain defeated Diphu Nihang 14-08 to claim the title. Shillong Labet were the favourites to start the tournament and maintained their domination throughout. Ishika Choudhary took home the MVP for her brilliant display not only in the finals but through the tournament.
In the 2-point shooting championship, Ching Gangmei a Coach from Touchline Basketball representing Team Sweet Sixteen claimed the title. In the women’s category, Dharitri Sarania from SYM Guwahati won the same. In Slam Dunk competition, saw a varied number of people showcasing exceptional dunking talent, but Nathan Abraham from Diphu Nihang was adjudged the champion.
Talking about the same Mr. Andrew Suting of Touchline Basketball said, “The best North East 3×3 so far and the credit goes to the players and basketball lovers who came in to play their part. We used the event to promote sports and a healthy lifestyle and to create awareness of drug abuse and HIV AIDs. Thank you to our partners T7 News, Glocal Slam Dunk Communications and Nivia.”
Ishika Choudhary, the winner of the MVP and champion said, “It’s been great to participate in the North East 3×3 Basketball Challenge, all the teams from Shillong were great and they put up a great fight. I would like to add that the passion that you all have is so immense that it gets to us while playing and makes us put in more effort.”
Nathan Abraham, the winner and MVP said, “The crowd was lit and very rarely do you see such a crowd and I am very happy to see basketball grow at such a pace in India. Shillong is so beautiful everybody is not nice and sweet and I would like to tell the youngsters to have faith and keep working hard.”
