High Enthusiasm, Mandiri 3X3 Indonesia Tournament Breaks The Record Of Participants In Solo

The Mandiri 3X3 Indonesia Tournament for the Central Java region in Solo. (Gonang Susatyo)

SOLO - Mandiri 3X3 Indonesia Tournament broke the record for Central Java regional participants which was held in Solo, Saturday, August 10, 2024. The number of participants reached 53 teams and not only from Central Java but also Cirebon, East Java teams and DI Yogyakarta.

The participants who exploded made the competition at Mandiri 3X3 Indonesia Tournament very tight at the Solo Citizens Education Foundation GOR, Jebres, Solo. Even Tournament Manager Chaerul Anwar Aziz did not predict that Play In in Solo would present many teams.

The participating teams are divided into a number of Age Groups (KU), ranging from KU12, KU15, KU18 and KU23 men's and women. The 3X3 basketball management tournament was initiated by the International Super Sport Sensation (SSS) in collaboration with PP PERBASI. In addition, the event which was held in three regions, Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi was supported by PT Bank Mandiri Tbk.

"Play In in Solo for the Central Java region is followed by no less than 53 teams. This is the record for the most participants. The enthusiasm of Mandiri 3X3 in Solo is very high. This is the second time Solo has become the host. The consideration is that the participants and spectators are enthusiastic. But I didn't expect it to break the participants' records," said Chaerul.

"Regional in Solo is a selection round and the teams that become champions in every KU will advance to the regional final in Jakarta. The women's category has only been held in KU23. The reason is it is not easy to get a women's team at another KU," he said again.

Furthermore, Chaerul, who also acts as the Mandiri 3x3 Indonesian Tournament in charge, said that the event would become a forum for young basketball players to show their ability in 3X3 basketball. According to him, in fact, there are not a few 3X3 tournaments in the country. And, Indonesia is considered more advanced than other countries in developing basketball with the three players.

It's just that the 3X3 tournament that uses the FIBA system or the International Basketball Federation is almost non-existent. In this system, tournaments not only follow FIBA standards but also players must register their participation through the federation.

This is what makes Indonesia's 3X3 basketball defeated by other countries even though the sport did not develop properly like in Indonesia.

"So it is important to educate the participants and parents how important a standard tournament is and using a FIBA system like Mandiri 3X3 Indonesia Tournament is. The reason is, their points in FIBA will also increase. Because they follow the FIBA system, small things like uniforms, back numbers, names must also be the same because they are registered with the federation," he said.

This education is very important and it makes basketball players very enthusiastic about participating in the tournament. This enthusiasm also looks real from the audience who constantly support the competing teams.

"I came to take my son. He joined KU12. I am happy because the atmosphere is busy and lively. I got hoarse for shouting to support his team," said Tia Maria, the parent of Javier Jonathan who strengthened the Royal Falcon of Solo.

"The competition is also tight and crowded. I was tense to become their supporters," he said.

"Incidentally, my son likes basketball and I help direct him to a tournament like this. I think this is a big tournament because it is nationally and officially from FIBA. We parents are indeed educated about this tournament using the FIBA system," he said.

Meanwhile, basketball player Paul Tuhumuri, 21, who strengthened the team from DIY Zegelagax for KU23, said that the competition and excitement of the tournament was because many opponents from other areas were very good.

"I have participated in this tournament since 2022. At that time, the tournament was held in Yogyakarta and twice in Solo. For me 3X is a little tougher and challenging. This makes competition very exciting. That year, the teams competing were very good. On average they played fast and consistently," said the student of the Yogyakarta Duta Wacana University (UKDW).

Play In SoloKU12 mixSahabat vs Fantastic 7-14KU15GMC Cirebon vs Hustle 12-5KU18 GMC Cirebon B vs Young Star Solo 5-7KU12 MixSahabat vs Fantastic 7-14KU 23 PIGMC Cirebon vs USM A 5-6KU 23 PAUSM B vs USM A 16-10