Thai basketball and YKBK (Thailand) to inaugurate 3BL Thailand League under Sport Entertainment concept eyeing Olympic spot

Exclusive license in Thailand and sanctioned by International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the competition aims to develop the Thai players and also provide foreign players with a chance to play. To promote the sport and get Thailand basketball to be known worldwide, the competition will be done under the concept of Sport Entertainment. 

The Formal Signing Ceremony for 3BL Thailand between BSAT and YKBK (Thailand) was held at the Sports Authority of Thailand on February 28, 2022. Joining the event were Mr. Yoshiya Kato, chairman of 3BL and YKBK (Thailand) Co., Ltd,; Gen. Ronnachai Munchusoontornkul, deputy secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand; Ms. Nittaya Kerdjuntuk, director of Office of the Professional Sports Committee of Sports Authority of Thailand; Mr. David Crocker, executive director of FIBA, Mr. Nipond Chawalitmonthien, president of the Basketball Sport Association of Thailand, and Mr. Suchart Arunsaengroj, director of YKBK (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 

Mr. Yoshiya Kato, chairman of 3BL and YKBK (Thailand), said: “The signing of cooperation is for establishing the 3x3 professional basketball league in Thailand, called 3BL Thailand League, between the Basketball Sport Association of Thailand and YKBK  (Thailand) after discussions have been made for more than half a year. 

"I would like to thank you the Basketball Sport Association of Thailand and all the involved parties who believe this 3x3 professional basketball league competition, called 3BL Thailand League, would be successful. The signing ceremony is the official start of the 3x3 professional basketball league competition in Thailand under the concept “Sport Entertainment”, the first of its kind in Thailand’s basketball competition. With that, we hope to promote the sport and make the competition environment to be more fun, exciting and interesting so that the 3BL Thailand League will be better known among the Thais.  I do hope the competition and its related activities will play an important role in promoting and developing Thailand’s basketball to be on the world stage.” 

Mr. Nipond Chawalitmonthien, president of the Basketball Sport Association of Thailand, said: the signing of cooperation agreement between the Basketball Sport Association of Thailand and YKBK (Thailand), who is the organizer of the 3x3 professional basketball league, called 3BL Thailand League, is important as it is a big event on the 3x3 basketball world tour. The sport is well recognized and popular worldwide. Importantly, the 3x3 basketball is now the Olympic Sport and it was also contested at the Olympic Games 2020. On behalf of the Basketball Sport Association of Thailand, I am really pleased to be part of cooperation to get the competition held in Thailand. The Thai basketball players will earn more incomes and experience in developing their skills as well as receiving points for the world ranking system. 

Mr. Suchart Arunsaengroj, director of YKBK (Thailand), said: “As a director of YKBK (Thailand), the new 3x3 professional basketball league ‘3BL Thailand’ is the 3x3 basketball competition which is now getting more and more popular because of its excitement and challenges. It will benefit the development of basketball in Thailand. Moreover, the Sport Entertainment concept will be used during the tournament, focusing on both sport excitement and entertainments in many different styles. We want to make the sport popular and appeal to basketball fans and also young basketball enthusiasts. We believe new stars will be discovered while developing the sport so that we can qualify for the Olympic Games. To qualify for the Olympic Games, the new qualifying system of 3x3 basketball will be used. It is now based on Ranking Point System. Every country must join a competition and earn as many points as they could to have a chance to qualify. Also, the point each country will get is from its players. Therefore, the players from each country have to join big tournaments so that they can get points. The 3BL Thailand is the biggest league in the country and it is an exclusive license in Thailand and sanctioned by International Basketball Federation. With the establishment of the 3BL in Thailand, the Thai players stand more chances to earn points and step closer to qualify for the Olympic Games. Moreover, taking on good and talented players from other countries, they will have good opportunities to hone their skills and gain more experiences. The young audiences will also get inspired by their idols and one day we will have a new rising star for our basketball team.”