Tribune News Network
Doha
Bahrain’s team won the GCC Under-15 Basketball Championship beating Kuwait 70-58 in the final played at the Qatar University Sports Hall on Monday . The tournament was held from August 15 to 19.
Dr. Mohammed Diab, Vice-President of Qatar University for Student Affairs, Saadoun Al Kuwari, Secretary-General of Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), along with Hamoud Al Maliki, member of the Gulf Coordination Committee, Dr. Ali Salem, President of the Omani Federation, Dr. Saeed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at Qatar University, and Thamer Ayed, member of the Gulf Coordination Committee, crowned the winners with awards and medals.
The Bahrain U-15 team won all their matches in the tournament, defeating Oman and Qatar in the group stage, and in the semi-finals, they overcame Saudi Arabia before defeating Kuwait in the final.
The Qatari team came in fourth place after losing 80-87 to Saudi Arabia in the third-place match.
Qatar had defeated Oman 91-82 in their first match in Group B before losing 63-96 to Bahrain in the subsequent match to end the group stage in second place and qualify for the semi-finals. They, however, later lost to Kuwait 63-99.
QBF Secretary-General Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari expressed his satisfaction with the successful execution of the tournament and the overall technical proficiency displayed by the players throughout the competitions. He remarked on the thrilling nature of the competition, highlighting the impressive performances from all participating teams.
Al Kuwari emphasized that the tournament serves as a significant opportunity for players to enhance their skills and acquire valuable experience, particularly given their young age. He extended his gratitude to the Gulf federations for their commitment to including teams under the age of 15.
In concluding his remarks, Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari reaffirmed the Qatar Basketball Federation’s dedication to maintaining the momentum of Qatar’s achievements in hosting major tournaments.
He noted the importance of cultivating a robust fan base that has become synonymous with Qatar’s successes, particularly among families eager to revisit the venues that have hosted prestigious global events. This aligns with the strategic goal of expanding fan engagement in upcoming Gulf and Arab tournaments, ultimately fostering a deeper connection to basketball in anticipation of the 2027 World Cup.
