This year’s Bud Light Streetball 3-on-3 basketball competition has eight cities on its itinerary.

The 3-on-3 will pull in at Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto and London, Ont. beginning in June.

With almost $1 million in corporate sponsorship backing the tour, The Sports Network will air an hour-long tv special on the highlights of the 1993 Streetball competition, which will also feature the Elite Division national final from SkyDome in Toronto on Aug. 27-29.

Among the Streetball sponsors are Labatt Breweries of Canada, Pepsi-Cola Canada, Reebok, Canadian Tire, Gillette and tsn.

Last year, close to 10,000 players took part in the contest in five cities, raising more than $50,000 for provincial basketball programs.

Top sport

John Wintermeyer, president of Branada Sports Communications, which developed the competition, notes basketball recently overtook soccer and hockey as the top team participation sport in Canada.

The streetball competition is open to all basketball players over the age of 19 of whatever skill level.

It is played with a double-elimination format, with half-court games going to a final score of 16 points or 30 minutes.

Teams have four players  one a substitute  and compete in divisions based on age, playing experience and ability.

Team registration costs $80 a team, $100 in Toronto, with a minimum of three games.

Registration is through provincial basketball associations or local sponsor newspapers and radio stations.