Indonesia's 3x3 Basketball Team Targets Top Four at Asian Games, Focuses on Fitness and Speed

Indonesia's men's 3x3 basketball team is intensifying its training, prioritizing physical conditioning and speed to achieve a challenging top-four goal at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The team faces a tough draw in Pool C, competing against Qatar, Bahrain, and defending champions Taiwan.

Assistant Coach Alfa Hari Kusumanegara stated the team's progress is at 45 percent but expressed confidence in their readiness. "Our progress is currently only about 45 percent. But God willing, this team will be ready in time," he told Republika. With one and a half months remaining, the focus will be on enhancing physical strength and, crucially, speed, to counter the formidable physical presence of Qatar and Bahrain.

Recent trial matches against a U.S. team and the Lithuanian U-23 national team revealed the team struggled in the final minutes. Coach Alfa, who also serves as the Strength and Conditioning coach, acknowledged that "Our homework is in our physical condition." The team aims to overcome these weaknesses before the tournament, which runs from September 21-25, 2026, in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya.

Historically, Indonesia's best performance in Asian Games basketball has been advancing past the group stage. A top-four finish would mark a significant milestone. New regulations for the 20th Asian Games 3x3 basketball competition, limiting players to under 23 years old, have been strategically addressed by Indonesia through the development of their U-23 players. The current 12-player roster will be narrowed down to four main players, with plans to participate in a 3x3 stop in Taiwan before the Asian Games.