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Back You are here: Qatar Basketball Federation News QBF plans special send-off for Ismail

QBF plans special send-off for Ismail

 Qatar Basketball Federation and Al Rayyan Club have jointly planned a grand farewell for retired Yaseen Ismail Musa in October this year.

The 35-year-old Al Rayyan Club forward Musa had declared his retirement from the Qatar national team in 2013 after the FIBA Asia Championships in Manila. For next two years, he continued to help his club team, which won the prestigious Arab Championship in Sale, Morocco.

But Musa had a heart-break in his last event. He got injured during the GCC Clubs Championships in Dubai in May and Al Rayyan Club lost the final to Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates 77-81.

QBF President Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al Thani is leading elaborate arrangements for a match to recognise Musa’s dedicated service to the national team and the sport. On Monday, he signed an agreement with Gulfcraft General Manager Vicken Deyirmenjian for proper branding of the event.

Besides, Sheikh Saoud has also appointed Musa as technical advisor to the QBF to use his vast experience for raising the standard of various national teams.

“We’re going to host an international match sometime in October this year to recognise what Musa achieved in his long career for the national team and his Al Rayyan Club. The plans are still on to give him a big farewell and we may invite either Filipino national team or a top club from the Philippines. The Qatar team may have some NBA stars.

“Musa has served the nation quite long and produced great results. They did not come easy as he had to make a lot of personal and physical sacrifices all these years. In his last event – the GCC Clubs Championships, Musa suffered injury and had to pull out.”

Talking about signing the agreement with Gulfcraft, Sheikh Saoud said, “We’ve signed a partnership with Gulfcraft for Musa’s retirement match in October. They will be responsible for the branding of the match at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. This will open gates for other companies to show their social responsibilities towards the players like Musa, who has dedicated over 20 years of his life to the sport and secured many laurels for Qatar.

“Besides the national team, the Al Rayyan Club team also prospered with Musa’s presence on the court. He won almost everything that a club can hope for. In 2014, Al Rayyan Club also won the prestigious Arab Clubs Championship for the first time during my stint with the Qatar Olympic Committee as the Secretary-General. We really thank you for your contribution to Qatar and the sport,” Sheikh Saoud added.

The QBF head also said, “I’ve also made Musa as the technical advisor. He is a perfect role model for the young generation and I believe that the QBF can benefit immensely from his massive experience.”

Truly, in his illustrious international career of 23 long years, Musa, who wore No. 10 T-shirt, amassed 46 titles for Al Rayyan Club and 16 for the national team. His closing years for the national team were really inspiring as he switched to 3x3 format and helped Qatar bag the Asian and world titles.

At the continental level, he figured in seven finals and Al Rayyan Club emerged champions on two occasions (2002 & 2005).

“It was a tough call for me. I was contemplating about my retirement for two years after leaving the national team. However, I feel that it is the right time for me retire from even from the club team.

“The national team and the club side are on the right track. A few days before, the Qatar U-18 team won the FIBA 3x3 title in Astana, Kazakhstan. A good bunch of players are all set to take the Qatar team to next level. Al Rayyan also have a good group of young players.

“I still remember that it was in 1995 when we had won the GCC junior title. We started almost from scratch and kept building the team year after year. Overall, I bagged 46 titles for Al Rayyan and 16 for the national team. I don’t think if I’ve anything missing,” added Musa.

Also present on the occasion were Rashid Nasser al Khalifa, Vice-Chairman of Al Rayyan Club, and Ajlan Eid Alenazi, Al Rayyan Club Board Member and head of basketball. They said that Al Rayyan made extensive plans to make the event truly memorable and fitting for a player of Musa’s stature.

Khalifa said, “First of all, Al Rayyan Club will retire Musa No. 10 jersey. But this number will be used to inspire young players during their training. Also we’ll invite to the match all the old members from management and technical sides who have been associated with Musa in one way or other.

“Musa has been a great player for the club. Ever since he joined the club, he showed he wanted to be the best basketball player. This helped him rise fast and his talent drew a great deal of offers not only by the Qatari clubs but also from outside. However, Musa showed great loyalty to Al Rayyan and never left.

“Of course, we’ll lose him as a player, but the doors will always be open for Musa to help the club in whatever ways possible for him. His presence as the technical or management expert would be quite valuable for us and he is always welcome to the club,” Khalifa added.