Kenya’s 3×3 Basketball Book Tickets to 2026 Youth Olympics & Commonwealth Games
Kenya’s basketball dream is alive and soaring higher than ever after the nation’s under-21 men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball teams carved their names into history, securing qualification for both the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar and the 2026 Commonwealth Games, at the FIBA Africa Youth Nations League in Algiers, Algeria.
The Kenyan squads battled through a six-stop continental series featuring Algeria, Egypt, Benin, and Comoros. Both teams clinched bronze medals, earning their place among the continent’s elite — and punching their tickets to the world stage.
Kicking off the tournament, the teams didn’t begin with smooth sailing. The women’s side fell 21–12 to Egypt in their opening fixture, and the men lost narrowly to Algeria 22–18. But in true Kenyan spirit, both squads bounced back in pool play, dominating Benin — the women winning 18–9, the men 19–11 — to set the tone for the tour.
Stop 2 saw the men reach another final, falling 19–12 to Egypt, while the women swept Comoros 21–5 for third place. Stop 3 brought double bronzes, with convincing wins over Benin.
Stop 4 was the turning point. The women edged Algeria 17–15 in a tense final, and the men dispatched Comoros 19–13. Gold at last. The remaining stops solidified Kenya’s consistency, with both teams placing third or fourth, notching vital points.
By the end of the league, Kenya’s men had 450 points and the women 460, placing third overall behind Egypt and Algeria.
Globally, the teams leapt from 38th to 25th in the rankings — an astonishing climb in just one series. In Africa, they now rank third behind Algeria and Benin.
Kenya Basketball Federation Vice Chairman Hilmi Ali confirmed that both teams will now prepare for the LA 2028 Olympic qualifying tournament and Dakar 2026, as well as the Commonwealth Games.
For the players, this journey is more than a ticket to an event — proof that Kenyan basketball belongs on the world stage. And for fans, it’s a rallying cry. The world is about to see what Kenya’s hoops future looks like.
Tags: 3X3 Basketball Championships
