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9 October 2025  6 min read

Gorasia relishing Glasgow 2026 3x3 challenge

After the historic night at Birmingham 2022, when England won Commonwealth Games gold and silver in the men’s and women’s 3x3 competitions, respectively, she has been set the task of delivering two more medals at Glasgow 2026.  

And she’s got her eyes set on double gold.  

“I would love for the men to defend their gold medal, and the women to go one better and get another gold,” said the 28-year-old, before adding: “And if you are interested in representing England, now’s the opportunity to state your intention.”  

BE 3x3 Development Manager Meehra Gorasia (far right) with winners of the 2025 Academy League 3x3 Tournament, Barking Abbey

‘We’re doing the right thing’ 

3x3 is not a new phenomenon, but it is being taken more seriously as an alternative player pathway to 5v5, with it’s growing professional profile through the FIBA 3x3 pro circuit and national team competitions, as well as the format’s inclusion in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, and the Commonwealth Games – the fan base is growing.  

Former 5v5 players, like GB’s Ashley Hamilton, have invested too, with him and wife Alice launching the UK’s first professional 3x3 team, London 3x3, in 2024.  

Gorasia’s resumé in the space is also packed with initiatives and activations to grow the format in England, including the implementation of an English 3x3 talent pathway, a 3x3 officiating course, the creation of several new BE 3x3 tournaments – Academy League 3x3, Collegiate 3x3, Aspire 3x3 – and the continued support of Julius Joseph MBE’s Ball Out 3x3 Tour. 

“This summer, we had our first Aspire All-Star 3x3 tournament and the feedback we received from the players filled me with so much hope that we're doing the right thing,” said Gorasia, who started playing basketball when she was eight, playing for Oldham Titans as a junior and eventually going on to captain Salford University’s women’s team in the BUCS Premier Basketball League.  

“Players had such a great time, and they felt that they were able to develop not only as a player, but as a leader too, because obviously they have to coach themselves during their games, with the no coach rule in 3x3.” 

The English Dream Team: Players and support staff gather around the Commonwealth Sport celebration mark at Birmingham 2022

‘Cemented my love of 3x3’ 

In 2022, Gorasia, who is a qualified Level 3 table official, was working as BE’s Talent Delivery Officer and was seconded to be assistant team leader for Team England’s 3x3 quartets.  

Together with team leader Peter Griffiths and Head of Talent and Performance Steve Bucknall, she planned and organised all the operational and logistical elements of the camps and tournaments that put Jamell Anderson,  Shanice Beckford-Norton, Cheridene Green, Chantelle Handy, Kayne Henry, Myles Hesson, Orlan Jackman and Hannah Jump in good stead to achieve glory in Birmingham. 

“It was one of the best moments in my career and cemented my love for 3x3,” said the Mancunian.   

“They became more than just colleagues and team-mates. They became a second family to me. Watching them compete at that level and knowing what it took for them to get there was really special. 

“Winning gold and silver just showed what we're capable of as a nation and the power of 3x3, bringing together what’s so special about basketball culture, the sport, music, art and fashion.  

“It's so easily accessible and inclusive too. Just look how the schedule at the Commonwealth Games integrated running and wheelchair basketball together as if they had never been apart. It’s a great spectacle.” 

Leading women: Gorasia (left) with Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Shanice Beckford-Norton outside Number 10 Downing Street

England need to qualify 

UK Sport also understands the potential of 3x3, just last year awarding the British Basketball Federation (BBF) and BE, in partnership with Sport England, nearly £5 million to ‘boost 3x3 performances’ on an international stage with LA 2028 in its sights. 

Currently, Gorasia is shortlisting and interviewing for the coaching staff who will lead charge at the games in Scotland, but preparation this time around looks different with England needing to qualify for the Games first at a European qualification tournament. 

“We have obviously had the increase in funding, which will strengthen our collaboration with the BBF across player selections, staffing and preparation activity. But we've also got a different challenge in that we'll have to go through a qualification process because we're not the hosts and we don't get automatic entry.” 

“The job has enabled me to grow as a person. Every cycle is different, whether it's Olympics or Commonwealth Games. You've just got to see what the challenges are and how you're going to face them, using your knowledge and expertise to make the best out of any given situation.” 

Committed to making real and lasting change to diversity and inclusion, BE has highlighted in its Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan women and girls’ basketball as an area of underrepresentation. Something which Gorasia is keen to support through her position.  

“Growing up around the sport, I didn’t see many women, let alone women with South Asian heritage in leadership positions. Even in this role, when I go to external events and conferences, it’s a similar theme.” 

“With the support, guidance and belief of Steve [Bucknall] and Pete [Griffiths] over the past seven years, I’ve been able to progress within the organisation, and grow both personally and professionally.” 

“I want to be around the sport as much as possible, because the more people that see diversity at every level of the game, the more they’ll believe in what’s possible - and recognise that they, too, have the potential step into these roles.”  

Elite players wanting to represent England for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games should email [email protected]

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