Kenya’s national 3×3 basketball teams, both men’s and women’s, are gearing up for a two-pronged campaign at the upcoming FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League (FYNL) 2025 in Benin, from June 3-9. 

They are determined to reclaim the country’s number one ranking in Africa, which was lost last year due to Kenya’s absence from the continental stage amid Gen Z protests.

Their ultimate goal: qualify for this year’s FIBA U-23 World Cup in China. 

In an exclusive interview with People Sports, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) First Vice Chairman Hilmi Ali confirmed that the country’s combined men’s and women’s Under-23 and Under-21 3×3 national teams will participate in the FYNL tournaments in both Benin and Algeria as part of the qualification journey. 

“Kenya’s combined national 3×3 basketball teams are prepared to reclaim our top spot on the African continent during the upcoming FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League in Benin, set for June 3 to 9,” said Ali.

“We lost that number one ranking last year when Kenya failed to participate in the continental competition due to the Gen-Z protests that rocked the country.” 

The FYNL event, scheduled for Benin’s capital Cotonou, will feature hosts Benin alongside Kenya, Uganda, Algeria, Ivory Coast, and Burundi. 

Ali explained that Kenya dropped to sixth in the continental rankings after last year’s absence.

However, this year, both the Under-23 and Under-21 teams for men and women will be fielded to boost the country’s qualification prospects for the World Cup. 

“Our strategy is simple but ambitious. Fielding both U-23 and U-21 sides allows us to double our chances of earning vital ranking points and securing our place in the World Cup,” he added. 

This strategy has been validated by FIBA 3×3 Sport and Development Senior Manager Robert Rieblinger, who stated in a global communication sent to all national federations:

“Each national federation can only qualify one team per gender to the U-23 World Cup. However, participation of a U-21 team improves the federation’s chances of qualifying, though it does not allow entry of more than one team per gender.” 

Each day during the six-day FYNL tournament will be treated as a standalone Under-23 competition, where national teams will earn points based on daily performance: 100 points for the winner, 80 for second place, and 60 for third. 

“During the Benin competition, there will be six stop tournaments,” Ali noted.

“Our combined teams are determined to secure the full 600 points available in Benin to strengthen our World Cup qualification path.” 

Once the Benin leg is complete, Kenya’s U-21 teams will head to Algiers for another six-stop FYNL tournament, with the aim of securing an additional 600 points.

A combined total of 1,200 points would likely ensure World Cup qualification for the national teams. 

Ali also emphasised that beyond the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, the points accumulated during the FYNL series will contribute to qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, US.

“Qualifying for both the World Cup and the Olympics comes with additional benefits. FIBA will cover training costs for our national teams, among other support mechanisms,” Ali added. 

The Africa FYNL forms part of FIBA’s wider global youth competition circuit, with parallel events in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Oceania — all feeding into qualification for both the World Cup and Olympic Games.