Tribune News Network
Doha
In a new achievement for Qatari sports, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) awarded Qatar Basketball Association (QBF) the third place award in the Best Awards for development category, on the sidelines of the 22nd FIBA General Assembly held in Manila, Philippines, where the national federations were honoured and celebrated for their achievements through a number of awards.
QBF was crowned with the award for being among the most advanced national federation for 3×3 competitions. Qatar came among the best 3 national federations in the world, in the classification from the period between 2021, after the mid-term conference of FIBA, and July 2023. Lithuania federation was first Austria second.
The National Federation Award was also awarded to the 3 best improving federations (2021 to July 2023), according to the ranking provided by Nike. These are the national teams with the most ranking points gained during this period and the winners are: Most Improved Women’s Teams 2021 -2023: Jordan (1st), Guatemala (2nd) and Norway (3rd). The most improved teams for men 2021-2023: Guinea (1st), South Sudan (2nd) and Cape Verde (3rd).
While the top three federations with the largest growth in social followers across all channels as a percentage of their total followers had the most followers on social media in the period 2021-2023, with 100,000 followers as a minimum to qualify. The winners were: South Sudan, Venezuela, and Madagascar. As for the National Federation Ranking Award, it was awarded to the best 3 classified national federations: the United States of America came in first place followed by France and Australia. In the FIBA classification 2021-2023, for a 3×3 participant team, awarded to the best 3 FIBA 3 national federations. x3, for both men’s and women’s teams, as of July 1, 2023, the winners were: FIBA Ranking 2021-2023, 3×3 participants, USA, France, and China respectively.
Mohammed Saad Al Mughaiseeb, President of the Qatar Basketball Association, praised the honour which he said was a result of the federation’s effort to work on developing the game.
The QBF president said, "After we were chosen third by the International Federation, we are now facing a challenge in order to continue the journey of development and to be in a better position in the future.”
Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, QBF Secretary-General, congratulated all the workers, coaches and administrators of the federation for their efforts over the past period, which greatly contributed to the development of the game. "The honouring of QBF with the award by FIBA makes us double the work for further development and dissemination of the game,” Al Kuwari said:
President of FIBA, HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) extended gratitude to Qatar’s leadership for their support of sports and athletes, as well as to the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatar Basketball Federation. He expressed his hope for the success of basketball in the region and the hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 at the highest level.
In conclusion, he expressed his wish for Qatar’s flag to continue flying high in various international and continental arenas.