Ghana is set to welcome the next generation of basketball talent from across West Africa as Accra prepares to host the FIBA Africa Zone 3 (FAZ3) U-16 Boys’ and Girls’ Tournament from November 15 to 20, 2026.

The competition will be followed by the Zone’s General Meeting and Congress on November 21, bringing together basketball administrators and representatives of member federations to discuss the development of the sport across the region.

With the Ghana Basketball Association (GBBA) leading the hosting arrangements, the tournament is expected to attract young players, team officials, referees and basketball administrators for a week of competition and collaboration.

Matches will be played at the Multipurpose Hall of the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, with FIBA Africa Zone 3 working alongside the FIBA Africa Development Commission and the Competitions Department to ensure the successful delivery of the event.

FAZ3 President, retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu, said the tournament would provide Ghana with an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to host regional basketball competitions while giving young players valuable international exposure.

“The event presents Ghana with an opportunity to showcase its capacity to host regional basketball competitions while providing a platform for young male and female players to demonstrate their skills, gain valuable international exposure and strengthen their competitive experience,” Ahmedu said.

Beyond the on-court action, the Zone’s General Meeting and Congress will take place on November 21 at Barima Apartments and Hotels in Accra.

Ahmedu explained that the gathering would provide an opportunity for basketball federations and other stakeholders to deliberate on the administration, growth and future direction of the sport within Zone 3.

“The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for representatives of the relevant basketball federations and stakeholders to deliberate on matters concerning the administration, growth and future direction of basketball within Zone 3,” the retired military officer added.

All eight member federations have been requested to send representatives in line 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 have also been formally invited, with the tournament expected to offer the country’s emerging basketball talents an important platform to gain regional competitive experience.

Participating delegations are scheduled to arrive on November 15, while the technical meeting will hold on the morning of November 16. Matches will run from November 16 to 20, with teams expected to depart on November 21.

Each participating team will comprise 12 players, three team officials and an accompanying referee. Age eligibility checks and compliance with FIBA’s international basketball rules will also form part of the competition arrangements.

Ghana’s hosting responsibility extends beyond organising the youth tournament, as Accra will also serve as the centre for administrative discussions on basketball development across Zone 3.

With preparations being coordinated by the relevant basketball bodies, the focus will be on delivering a successful championship and a productive congress that will benefit young athletes, participating federations and the wider basketball community across Africa.