Ivory Coast’s U18 3x3 team have stepped up preparations for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, with several training sessions held under coach Mian Ange and the supervision of Marc Koffi, the 3x3 officer at the DTN/FIBB.
The squad received a visit from Sports Minister Adama Doumbia at their base at the FIBA Africa headquarters. He encouraged the players, assessed their state of mind and watched their work, while the minister said he was confident they could produce an honourable performance in Senegal.
Doumbia said: “Nous en sommes certes à notre première participation, mais nous sommes confiants, d'autant que nos jeunes garçons sont aguerris. Parmi eux, il y a des champions d'Afrique U16 et U18 et des médaillés de bronze aux Jeux africains de la jeunesse 2025”. He added: “Nous savons qu'à Dakar, ces enfants auront leur mot à dire.”
The 3x3 tournament runs from 6 to 9 November. Ivory Coast are drawn in Pool A alongside Germany and the Solomon Islands. On Tuesday 20 October, the qualified contingent will be presented with the national flag at a ceremony at Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, alongside the presentation of medals won between 1 June and 15 October 2026.
