New Delhi, Mar 5 (IANS): The third season of the 3x3 Pro Basketball League (3BL) will begin in Chandigarh on Saturday. The 3BL is backed by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and is scheduled to conclude on March 21.

The dates of the league were announced by 3BL Commissioner Rohit Bakshi and Director Prerna Sharma here on Friday in the presence of Basketball Federation of India (BFI) Secretary-General Chander Mukhi Sharma, team owners and players.

"We are happy to grant exclusive rights to 3BL's professional league as an added avenue for our star players to shine. 3BL will provide additional income and exposure to many Indian basketball athletes," BFI secretary Sharma said.

The League Commissioner Bakshi said: "We strongly believe India will be in the 2024 Paris Olympics. By the end of 3BL Season 3, Indian teams' global FIBA 3x3 federation ranking should be at least 30th, from the current 70th (in men) and 55th (in women). This will give India a boost we all have been waiting for."

A total of 12 men's teams and six women's sides will be participating across six rounds. Winners will be announced at the end of each round, and the winner of the final round will be crowned the overall champion.

"Besides attractive salaries, prize money and FIBA 3x3 ranking points to individual players, the top teams also get the chance to compete at prestigious FIBA 3x3 World Tour events," the organisers said.

3BL Season 3 will be live-streamed on Sony LIV, with additional weekly special programming to be aired on Sony Six.