Nagpur: Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana player Gunjan Nikhil Mantri of Nagpur has been selected to represent India in the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup 2024. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in Debrecen, Hungary, from August 26-30, 2024.
Gunjan’s selection comes after a series of impressive performances at both the National and State-Level Tournaments. Her journey to the international stage began at the 74th Junior National Basketball Championship in Indore where she helped her team secure third place. Recognising her outstanding play, she was invited to the Indian national camp. This year, Gunjan, daughter of Nikhil and Mamta Mantri, also represented Maharashtra in the Khelo India Youth Games held in Coimbatore, finishing 3rd.
Gold Rate
Thursday 09 Jan. 2025
She further showcased her talent by winning gold medal at the U-19 School Nationals in Mumbai. Previously, at the Youth State Championship in Dhule, she led the Nagpur team to victory and was awarded the best player of the tournament. Her consistent excellence extended to the Youth Nationals, where she played a pivotal role in helping Maharashtra win the National Championship.
Gunjan now joins the ranks of Siya Deodhar and Shomira Bidaye, fellow Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana players who have represented India in international competitions. As the third player from her gymkhana to achieve this honour, Gunjan’s rise reflects her hard work and dedication. Under the guidance of Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee Shatrughna Gokhale and NIS coach Vinay Chikate, Gunjan trains daily at the Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana courts.
Alongside her athletic achievements, she excelled academically, scoring 92% in her 12th Board Examinations this year. As per FIBA 3×3 Website, the Indian team roster for the FIBA 3×3 U-18 World Cup 2024 includes Gunjan Mantri, Anaya Bhavsar, Aahana George, and Gunvi Agrawal. India, seeded 11th, is placed in Pool C along with Kyrgyzstan (#3), Japan (#6), China (#14), and Uganda (#19). The tournament features 20 teams in both men and women’s sections, divided into four pools of five teams each. Teams within each pool will play each other once, with the top two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
India’s schedule is as follows:
August 26: 6.45 pm India vs China, 8.35 pm India vs Uganda
August 28: 6.20 pm India vs Kyrgyzstan, 9.35 pm India vs Japan.
