The Third Asian Middle School Three-on-Three Basketball Championship officially opened on September 24, 2026, at Nanhu Square in Yueyang, China. The tournament brings together 19 youth basketball teams from nine countries and regions across the continent.
Nineteen Teams Converge on Yueyang
Tang Haoran, deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and acting mayor of Yueyang, attended the opening ceremony and declared the international tournament open. He welcomed delegations to the banks of Dongting Lake for competition and cultural exchange.
Institutional Backing and Core Principles
Organized under the theme “Global Yueyang, Basketball Dynamics in Asia,” the tournament is hosted by the Asian School Sports Federation. It is co-hosted by the China Student Sports Federation and the Yueyang Municipal People’s Government, and operated by Zhongjiao Sports under the Hunan Culture, Tourism and Sports Group.
The event operates under the guiding principle of “educating through sports and promoting integration through competition,” aiming to strengthen athletic collaboration among Asian secondary schools.
Cross-Cultural Ties Through Athletics
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Asian School Sports Federation President Teng Lianhuai emphasized that the championship serves as an essential platform for deepening Asian campus sports cooperation and building a foundation for regional youth athletic ties.
Chen Beibei, deputy secretary-general of the joint secretariat of the Student Sports Association of the Ministry of Education, noted that sports remain a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, encouraging participating students to respect rules, sharpen their willpower, and broaden their international perspectives.
Local Infrastructure and Past Events
Wei Shuping, speaking on behalf of the Yueyang host organization, stated that the city has committed its highest standards and services to deliver a streamlined, safe, and dynamic sports meeting characterized by ecological appeal, cultural depth, and international flair.
Yueyang’s local authorities have previously hosted major events including the first National Youth Three Major Ball Games, the 14th Games of Hunan Province, and the World Dragon Boat Championships. These efforts use the region's heritage as the birthplace of Miluo River Dragon Boat culture to build strong infrastructure for international competitions.
Excursions Beyond the Hardwood
Beyond the hardwood, tournament organizers have scheduled cultural excursions for the visiting delegations. Teams will tour the historic Yueyang Tower and the Yueyang Chinese Giant Panda Garden, allowing athletes to experience local geography and the traditional Baling cultural lineage.
Yueyang’s tourism and culture departments have coordinated venue reception and transportation services to support athletes during their stay.
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