Ghana to Host FIBA Africa Zone 3 U-16 Championship, Congress in November …Nigeria, seven other West African nations expected at Accra
Oru Leonard
Ghana is set to host some of West Africa’s most promising young basketball talents as Accra prepares to stage the FIBA Africa Zone 3 (FAZ3) U-16 Boys’ and Girls’ Tournament from November 15 to 20, 2026.
The championship will be followed by the FIBA Africa Zone 3 General Meeting and Congress on November 21, bringing together basketball administrators and representatives of member federations to discuss the development and future of the sport in the sub-region.
The Ghana Basketball Association (GBBA) is leading the hosting arrangements in collaboration with FIBA Africa Zone 3, the FIBA Africa Development Commission and the Competitions Department.
Matches will take place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, while the General Meeting and Congress will be held at Barima Apartments and Hotels.
President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu, said the championship would provide an important platform for young male and female basketball players to showcase their abilities, gain international exposure and improve their competitive experience.
Ahmedu noted that hosting the tournament would also enable Ghana to demonstrate its capacity to organise regional basketball competitions while strengthening cooperation among participating countries.
He explained that the event’s significance extends beyond the competition, as the accompanying congress would provide an opportunity for basketball stakeholders to deliberate on administrative issues, development priorities and the future direction of the game within Zone 3.
According to him, representatives of all eight member federations have been requested to attend the congress, in keeping with the practice adopted at previous editions.
The participating federations are Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Liberia, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria’s national U-16 boys’ and girls’ teams, alongside other eligible teams from the sub-region, have been formally invited to participate in the championship.
The tournament is expected to offer Nigeria and other participating countries an opportunity to assess their young players’ abilities against regional opposition while providing valuable experience for future international competitions.
Under the schedule released by the organisers, participating delegations are expected to arrive in Accra on November 15, with the technical meeting scheduled for the morning of November 16.
Games will run from November 16 to 20, while participating delegations are expected to depart on November 21 following the conclusion of the tournament and associated activities.
Each team will consist of 12 players, three team officials and an accompanying referee. Organisers will also conduct age eligibility checks and ensure compliance with applicable FIBA international basketball regulations.
The combination of the youth championship and the Zone 3 Congress is expected to make Accra a focal point for basketball development and administration in West Africa during the six-day competition period and the subsequent regional meeting.
Beyond determining the strongest teams in the age category, the tournament is expected to support talent identification, encourage cross-border sporting relationships and strengthen the development of grassroots basketball across the participating countries.
With preparations underway, attention is now focused on Ghana’s ability to deliver a successful championship and a productive congress that will benefit young athletes, national federations and the wider African basketball community.
Credit: Media Committee, FIBA Africa Zone 3, October 22, 2026
