BAMAKO (Tournoi International 3x3 Basketball - Trophée Salamatou Maïga) – The second edition of the 'Tournoi International 3x3 Basketball - Trophée Salamatou Maïga U18' will take place in the Malian capital city of Bamako on September 23 and 24.

Benin, Nigeria, Togo, and hosts Mali have confirmed their participation in the men's tournament.

On the women side, Mali, Nigeria and Togo will do battle for the continental title of this youth tournament.

The opening ceremony of this year’s event will be presided over by Mali’s First Lady, Mrs Keita Aminata Maiga, with the attendance of a number of dignitaries including the country's Minister of Sports, Ousseynou Amion Guindo ; FIBA Africa President and FIBA Vice-President Hamane Niang and Malian Basketball Federation President, Jean-Claude Sidibe.

Talking to FIBA.basketball, Moussa Kanta, the president of the Local Organising Committee said:

"It’s a great honor for our country to host this tounament. Salamatou Maïga dedicated over four decades of her life to helping the development of the game in Africa, and our target is to promote 3x3 basketball on the African continent around such an iconic name''.

This is also the opportunity to show that "Mali is a safe place for those who want to organize successful sporting events," Kanta explained.

The inaugural edition of the Tournoi International 3X3 – Trophée Salamatou Maiga took place last year in Cotonou where Mali's men and women's teams finished in first place.

Before the start of the two-day competition, referees from the participating countries will take part in a clinic on the 3x3 basketball rules.

FIBA