Singapore: SportX’s U18 boys’ basketball team finished runners-up in the 3x3 category at the 15th Asia Pacific Cup in Singapore, held from 19 to 21st October, while the U16 boys secured a commendable fourth-place finish after reaching the semifinals.
The results mark a positive outing for SportX, which made its second appearance at this year's tournament. The performances across both age groups reflect the program’s continued growth and improvement as it works to develop young Indian basketball players.
The U18 squad comprised Vihaan Saldanha, Darius Rohinton Wadia, Sarthak Misra and Arush Choudhari. Across seven games, the team recorded a 71% win ratio, scoring 87 points at an average of 12.4 points per game.
Competing in a field of nine teams divided into two pools, the U16 side featuring Ojasya Ladha, Arfaan Sayyed, Darsh Tripathi and Sarthak Misra won two group-stage games to qualify for the quarter-finals. The team progressed to the semifinals before suffering a defeat, ultimately finishing fourth in the competition.
SportX revamps preparation program
According to SportX founder Samir Shukla, the organization overhauled its preparatory program this year, incorporating strength and conditioning sessions led by an Olympic strength and conditioning coach, alongside sports nutrition sessions focused on performance, recovery and match-day management.
The teams also played several practice matches in the lead-up to the tournament to improve their preparation and on-court coordination.
Shukla said:
“At SportX, player’s growth has always been at our core.”
He described this year as the organisation’s best yet, citing a threefold increase in interest from Indian and overseas players for selection trials.
“This year has been SportX’s most successful so far, with selection trials attracting three times the interest from Indian and international players,” added Shukla.
SportX also sent its largest-ever representation to the Asia Pacific Cup, with five teams competing in the 3x3 format and two teams in the 5x5 format.
Expansion Plans in Mumbai
Building on the tournament’s successful performances, SportX plans to launch several basketball academies in Mumbai to strengthen its player development program and create further opportunities for young athletes.
The organization is also set to launch The Titan Cup, a 3x3 tournament planned for November 2026, aimed at providing local players with greater exposure at both local and international levels.
Looking ahead, SportX aims to triple its scale in terms of participation, with plans to return to the Asia Pacific Cup with the ambition of winning gold.
For more information and opportunities to grow with SportX, connect with founder Samir Shukla at +91 98333 61701.