Jordan Concludes Its Participation in the Asian Youth Games

The curtain fell on Saturday over the participation of Jordan’s national 3×3 basketball teams for both boys and girls in the third edition of the Asian Youth Games, hosted by the Bahraini capital, Manama.

The results of the teams were mixed. The boys’ team showed strong competitiveness in several matches, while the girls’ team faced significant challenges in their tough group. The overall outcome highlighted the crucial importance of continuous continental exposure for developing the next generation of players.

Boys’ Team: Strong Competition and Narrow Miss for Quarterfinals

The boys’ team competed in a challenging Group A, which included several heavyweight teams. The “Nashama Hawks” secured notable victories over the UAE and Turkmenistan, earning a total of 4 points.

However, their path to the quarterfinals was blocked after tough defeats to Mongolia and Chinese Taipei. Despite their commendable efforts, the team finished third in the group, narrowly missing out on advancement. The experience underscored how fine margins and accumulated match experience are decisive in critical games.

The tournament also revealed individual talents capable of competing, while highlighting the need for tactical development and enhanced team cohesion under high-pressure Asian competitions.

Girls’ Team: Facing a “Steel” Group

The girls’ team encountered a different set of challenges in what was considered a “steel” group, facing highly competitive opponents. The “Nashmiyat” finished sixth and last in their group, earning only two points from a single victory and suffering five defeats.

Their sole victory came against the UAE, while they lost consecutively to China, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. These results reflect the difficulties facing the development of women’s 3×3 basketball at the youth level. The opposing teams benefit from long-term development programs and extensive continental and international exposure.

Despite the harsh results, the experience was invaluable, revealing the competitive gap that needs to be bridged in the future. Participation in this edition represents a first step toward building a team capable of competing successfully in upcoming tournaments.

Participation Assessment and Future Outlook

The Asian Youth Games serve as a key platform for discovering and developing young talent and providing initial continental exposure for players in this age group.

Although the final results were not ideal, especially for the girls’ team, simply taking part in a gathering of over 45 Asian Olympic Committees is considered an achievement for Jordan’s national 3×3 basketball development programs.

Lessons Learned:

• Specialization in 3×3 Basketball: As an Olympic sport, 3×3 basketball requires training programs different from traditional basketball, emphasizing speed, physical strength, and quick decision-making under time pressure.

• Importance of Continuous Exposure: Teams reaching the quarterfinals consistently participate in Asian and international tournaments. Continued national support with camps and friendly matches is key to raising competitiveness.

• Investing in Youth Women’s Teams: The girls’ results highlight the need to double efforts in building a strong base for women’s 3×3 basketball and providing them with international competitive opportunities.

The conclusion of Jordan’s 3×3 basketball participation marks a comprehensive evaluation phase for the national federation, aiming to ensure more positive outcomes in future Asian Youth Games and to prepare a generation capable of achieving results worthy of national ambitions.