Kweku Falconer, Head Coach of Ghana, on Saturday expressed satisfaction at the ongoing FIBA Zone 3, 3×3 Basketball Championships in Lagos, describing it as a welcome development.

Falconer made the observation in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the Ghana, Nigeria U-18 Boys match, which Nigeria won 12-11 in extra time.

“I am happy about how the new FIBA Zone 3 President, Sam Ahmedu, and his executive board, have swung into action with this championships.

“It is something that should have existed for long in the zone, we welcome it with open arms, and we believe his leadership will continue to inject new projects, to develop the zone,” Falconer said.

The coach blamed his team’s loss to Nigeria to inexperience.

“We lost to Nigeria out of carelessness; and our player not taking his time to deliver at crucial moments of the extra time.

“We have to take the next game with extra care, having lost 11-8 to Liberia in our first match, to qualify from the group stage,” Falconer said.

Meanwhile, in another match, Nigeria’s quartet — Sarah Ogoke, Upe Atosu, Chioma Udeaja and Nkechi Akashili — walloped Ghana’s National Team, 24-2 in the Senior Women’s category.

Udeaja told NAN that it was a great development for basketball in the region, and that she was happy when she heard about it.

“It is a laudable tournament as it will help to prepare the team for the upcoming final phase of the Zenith Bank Women’s League.

Meanwhile Nigeria’s U-18 girls also defeated Benin Republic, 12-3 in their first group game.

The FIBA Zone 3, 3×3 basketball championships is the first edition with teams from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Niger, Benin competing for honours at the National Stadium, Lagos