LOOK BACK AT THE OFFICIAL KICKOFF OF THE FIBA 3X3 WORLD TOUR AMSTERDAM MASTERS!
With an official press and media meeting, Friday, September 1, the kickoff was given for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Amsterdam Masters which will be held on October 6 and 7 in the Gashouder. Among others, tournament director Jesper Jobse, star player of team Amsterdam Worthy de Jong and Maarten Hoffer, general director of the Dutch Basketball Association, shed their light on the event.
At the venue where next month the best 3x3 basketball players in the world will compete, Jobse took a preliminary look at what awaits in the Gashouder. 'In my head, of course, I've been working on the event for a long time, but being here at this unique location, I can imagine how cool it's going to be.'
In the urban setting that matches the look of the sport, 2,000 visitors a day will soon be able to enjoy absolute top sport. But that is not all that the 3x3 World Tour Amsterdam Masters is about. With their Foundation 3x3 Unites, Jobse and his business partner Mark Schuurman also want to make a social impact.
The Foundation uses 3x3 basketball to help young people pursue their dreams and take control of their lives. Also during the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Amsterdam Masters, many young people will have the space to develop themselves and participate. 'We want to set a new standard in several areas,' Jobse said.
It is exactly one reason that the Dutch Basketball Association supports the event. According to general manager Maarten Hoffer, the World Tour Amsterdam Masters is a shining example of how sports events should be organized in the future. 'At the World Tour Amsterdam Masters, top sports performance goes hand in hand with such social impact that 3X3 Unites makes.'
Also present at the press conference were Arvin Slagter and Worthy de Jong. The two players are among the best 3x3 basketball players in the Netherlands and therefore the absolute world top. They will also be there with Team Amsterdam during the World Tour Amsterdam Masters. That the event is held at such a cool location makes it extra fun for the players to play here," said Slagter.
The players also looked ahead to the Olympic Games, which will be held in Paris next year. The Netherlands must be among the top three countries in the world ranking on November 1 in order to qualify directly. The Netherlands is currently ranked third. The World Tour Amsterdam Masters is one of the last opportunities to forfeit points for the country and secure possible direct qualification.
So there is plenty at stake during the World Tour Amsterdam Masters. Both on a sporting and social level. 'It would be great if the Netherlands is represented again at the Games with 3x3 basketball,' says Hoffer. 'In addition, we hope that the youth will be inspired during the event. In ten years they must think: how awesome that was. That is where I fell in love with 3x3 basketball.'
Article translated by Deepl.com
