KAMPALA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's U23 teams are focused on qualifying for the FIBA U23 3x3 World Cup, to be held in Xiongan, China.

The teams will depart for Benin on Monday to participate in the 2025 FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in September.

The qualifiers for both the men's and women's teams will run from June 3 to 9. Peter Obleng, a seasoned player on Uganda's men's team, expressed confidence in their preparation and motivation to win key matches for qualification.

"We are aware that the teams we are going to face are very strong. But we have prepared well and are motivated to perform well," Obleng told Xinhua.

Shillah Lamunu, who previously led Uganda's women's team to World Cup qualification, shared her determination to do it again. "We know a lot of attention will be on us as the champions, but we are determined to prove a point and qualify again," added Lamunu.

Uganda is grouped with Kenya, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire and Algeria. In 2024, Uganda hosted the event, where the women's team won the title and went on to represent the country at the World Cup in Mongolia.

Uganda's team

Women: Mary Priscillar Nambogo, Shillah Lamunu Aber, Tamasha Nsubuga, Martina Anyango, Sarah Namale, Sylvia Nakituuka

Men: Peter Obleng, Carl Loum, Marvin Jesse Okurut, Allawi Ssenkubuge, Omara Emmanuel, Andrew Ssendawula.