Tribune News Network
Doha
Defending champions Al Sadd will take on Al Ahli in the final of HH Amir Cup basketball at the Al Gharafa Sports Complex at 6.30pm on Thursday.
Al Sadd had knocked out favourites Al Rayyan out of the prestigious tournament with an 81-78 win in the semis while Al Ahli had reigned supreme 82-70 over Al Wakrah.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the final, Qatar Basaketball Fedration (QBF) Secretary-General Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, said, “It has been a great Amir Cup edition and we are looking to culminate the tournament in the best way.
“I want to congratulate Al Sadd and Al Ahli for reaching the final of the prestigious tournament. It is the title every team in Qatar wants to win. We are looking forward to an exciting final in which players from both the teams will give their best,” he added.
Al Sadd coach Stavros Mikonatis stressed that his team will go all out to defend their title.
“Al Ahli are in the final deservingly after playing some tough matches and we are aware of their strength but we will also play to our strength. We can compensate for our failure to win the League title by lifting the Amir Cup and we will put in our best effort to clinch this prestigious trophy,” he said.
Al Sadd player Faisal Nabil Abuissa, said, “Al Ahli are strong but we will go all the way to win the title and this is our only aim.”
Al Ahli’s coach Manos Manouselis said his team was ready for the challenge. “My team is just a win away from winning the title after giving an impressive performance throughout the tournament. Al Sadd are a good team but we are ready to challenge them,” he said.
Al Ahli player Ndoye Elhadj Seydou, said, “It is a difficult challenge but we have players who can do well against Al Sadd and make our fans happy. We deserved to be in the final and now the players are looking for the title triumph.”
The Amir Cup was initiated in the 1999-2000 season with Al Rayyan emerging as champions of the inaugural edition. Al Rayyan remained the most successful side in the competition since then winning the crown nine times from a record 14 appearances in the finals.
Al Gharafa have won the tournament on five occasions while Al Sadd are the three-time champions. Al Arabi, Qatar SC and El Jaish have won the Amir Cup title twice each.
Fans will be allowed to enter the Al Gharafa Sports Complex for free with a bonanza of prizes up for grabs including a car, and tickets to attend the 2023 FIBA World Cup to be held in Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia in August and September.
