Countdown to Sikkim Slam 3x3

GANGTOK,: The upcoming Sikkim Slam 3x3 Basketball Tournament on March 27-29 will see the Indoor Basketball Court at Gangtok's Paljor Stadium host Sikkim’s first FIBA-endorsed 3x3 event.

Under the guidance of Chief Patron, Soreng Chakung MLA Aditya Golay, and in keeping with the Chief Minister’s commitment to fostering sports in Sikkim, the Gangtok District Administrative Centre and the Gangtok District Police is organizing the tournament in collaboration with the Freedom Rehabilitation Facility and the Ravens Basketball Club.

The tournament will not only introduce high-voltage play in the emerging 3x3 format to the State but also support the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan mission to eliminate drug and substance abuse. The slogan ‘Drop the Drugs, Dunk the Ball’ encapsulates the topical social cause that the tournament endorses, to use sports to combat the multi- headed hydra of drug menace.

3x3 basketball is taking the world by storm; with just three players on a half-court, its non-stop high octane play ending in 10 minutes or 21 points whichever is faster. The game is a showcase of skill, speed, and strategy with every possession counting. It’s accessible: just a half court, a hoop, a ball, and lots of heart. And it’s sponsor friendly and spectator friendly.

The organizers have roped in a robust technical committee to ensure high professionalism, including, among others, Technical Director Meghalaya Jr State Coach and Touchline Academy founder Andrew Suting, FIBA-certified 3x3 referee Mohan Kumar Banashankara and BFI referee instructor James Bamon. While new tournaments take time to establish their credentials, players from Bhutan and Nepal as well as from Sikkim, North Bengal and other neighbouring areas are registered to slam.

The total prize kitty of Rs 5 lakhs up for grabs is causing ripples of excitement in the balling community. Men's winners and runners up will take home Rs 2 lakhs and Rs 1 lakh, and women’s winners and runners up Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 respectively. There are cash prizes and gift hampers for individual winners across categories of Most Valuable Player (men and women), Best Defensive Player (men and women), Rising Star Award (men and women), Hustle Award (men and women) and the 2 pt Shootout Champion (men and women).

What makes the Sikkim Slam so special is the sheer hard work put in by the organizers to pull off an ambitious showcase for the Sikkim Slam:

A well-executed teaser campaign to create hype and a promo film showcasing basketball visuals against well-known Gangtok vistas.

Vector-X is sponsoring the official BFI approved Vector X HG 3x3 balls as well as Vector X x BFI Thunder Backpacks for champions.

SportsCast India, a National Sports Broadcasting company, will be doing the livestream of the tournament.

Ekalavyas (ekbballindia), the OG India Basketball Media is partnering with the Sikkim Slam.

Sandy Singh, Sports Promoter of indianlivesportshub on the Gram is slated to come cover the tournament.

Ryan James, Sports Commentator/ Presenter/ Lawyer will be doing live commentary at the Sikkim Slam.

Additionally, on March 26, an expert panel on ‘ The Business of Basketball: Careers Beyond the Court’ consisting of these major names of Indian Basketball and including the Basketball Association of Sikkim is slated for enthusiasts to get first-hand knowledge and an interactive experience on exploring opportunities in officiating, media, law, coaching, broadcasting and sports management.

Sikkim Slam also seeks to promote Sikkim as an exciting new destination for 3x3 basketball.

The FIBA endorsement in the inaugural edition of Sikkim Slam 3x3 is only the first step to gain experience in organizing a tournament under FIBA rules; the next logical step would be a FIBA-approved event that is an international-level tournament. But that would call for more planning and upgraded sports infrastructure.

Right from the beloved Khangchendzonga massif in the logo to onboarding the Government Fruit Preservative Factory and Temi Tea as well as the Rachna Books as Official Gift Hamper Partners, the tournament organizers are promoting Sikkim produce and publications and pride in Sikkim, our home in the mountains. Sponsorship from and partnerships with local business entities and organizations further cement that Sikkim is the crux of the tournament.

Additionally, with live DJ music all three days, entertainment, stalls and crowd games with prizes to be won, the Sikkim Slam is definitely ushering in a new benchmark in the way basketball is viewed in Sikkim and how Sikkim is viewed as a sporting venue nationally.

Mark your dates.