8th edition of 3×3 Open Basketball Challenge concludes in Ukhrul

Our Correspondent
Ukhrul, Dec 21 : The 8th edition of the 3×3 Open Basketball Challenge, organized by The Wilders Club, concluded in Hungpung, Ukhrul, Manipur.
Team Invictus, Senapati, took home the men’s championship title by defeating Team Aces, Imphal as See You In Court (SYIC) emerged as women’s winners by beating GG Spartans.
Almastan Asif (Aces, Imphal) and Shunthan Wungrei (SYIC) were named MVPs of the men’s and women’s tournaments, respectively.
The two-day event drew 17 teams (14 men’s, 3 women’s) from Manipur and a team from Nagaland, while players came from as far as from Meghalaya, promoting basketball and positive youth engagement in the region.
The 8th Wilders Club Winter Basketball Tournament showcased the passion for basketball in Manipur’s hill districts.
Almastan Asif from Team Aces, Imphal, praised the tournament as a great opportunity for Ukhrul’s kids to focus on sports and avoid substance abuse.
He noted Ukhrul’s facilities are basic, with makeshift courts, but hopes for improvement.
A Noney district player echoed his sentiment, driven by passion despite lacking local support, and remains optimistic about promoting basketball.
The Wilders Club Winter Basketball Tournament has become a significant event in Manipur’s basketball calendar, particularly in hill districts with limited exposure to the sport. The scarcity of basketball courts, with only two schools - Savio Higher Secondary School and Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School - having facilities, poses a challenge for aspiring players to access training spaces.
The organisers noted that communal violence in the State has impacted participation, temporarily affecting the tournament’s vibrancy.
Previously, teams from Imphal and Churachandpur regularly participated, contributing to the event’s energy and diversity. Despite challenges, the tournament has fostered interest in basketball among local youth. The Wilders Club’s representation at the State Level Basketball Tournament in Imphal this year marked a significant milestone, highlighting the sport’s growth in Ukhrul.