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Qatar win 3x3 U18 Asian Championships
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25 Jul 2016
- Written by Qatar Basketball Federation
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Qatar's won the second edition of the FIBA 3x3 U18 Asian Championships in Cyberjaya, Malaysia on 22-24 July 2016.
In the men's category, the reigning U18 3x3 World Champs Qatar remained undefeated though it proved to be more challenging than expected for the men in maroon (21-19 against Japan in the pool stage especially).
Qatar had an uncontested success in the final against Philippines though, winning 21-9 on a Nedim Muslic basket.
In the bronze medal game, the talented Yee Tong Heng led Malaysia past Japan (21-14).
Heng also won the scoring charts at home and was named MVP. He was joined by Qatar's Alen Hadzibegovic and Philippines' John Clemente in the Team of the Tournament.
Kawachi Kodai offered a second gold medal for Japan after shining at the shoot-out contest. Indonesia's Yoveta Paguno and Sri Lanka's Arnold Thevakuman struck silver and bronze respectively.
FIBA
QBF plans special send-off for Ismail
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15 Jun 2016
- Written by Qatar Basketball Federation
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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.
HE Sheikh Joaan honors Qatar’s FIBA 3x3 champions
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12 Jun 2016
- Written by Qatar Basketball Federation
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The President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani on Friday honoured members of the Qatari youth basketball team, which had won the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U-18 3x3 World Championship title, held in Astana, Kazakhstan last week. Qatar beat Brazil in the final 20-12.
The function, which was held at Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) head quarters, was attended by HE QOC Secretary-General Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, QBF President HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and QBF board members.
HE Sheikh Joaan praised the achievement made by the team members, urging them to make more efforts to make further achievements in the future. HE Dr al-Kuwari extended thanks to HE Sheikh Joaan for his keenness in on honouring the team members. He also lauded the achievement of the Qatari players congratulating them on the great success. For his part, HE Sheikh Saoud also thanked HE Sheikh Joaan for felicitating the players.
The title-winning Qatar team comprised of Nedim Muslic, Ndoye Seydou, Alen Hadzibegovic and Faris Sadikovic.
After dropping their first game of the tournament against Italy (16-19), Qatar went on to win their next six games, including the shock victory over reigning champions New Zealand in the semi-finals (21-16). The number one 3x3 player in the world (U-18 men) Muslic and big man Ndoye excelled in the final by scoring six points each. Hadzibegovic and Sedikovic both contributed four points apiece.
This victory at Astana meant Qatar is reigning 3x3 world champions in both U-18 and senior categories, following their success at the 2014 FIBA 3x3 World Championships
Brazil, who took silver, had beaten Slovenia in the quarter-finals (19-13) and Italy in a thriller in the semi-finals (21-20).
Italy recovered from the devastating loss to secure the bronze medal against New Zealand (21-14).
Qatar's men win 2016 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships
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06 Jun 2016
- Written by Qatar Basketball Federation
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ASTANA, Kazakhstan (2016 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships) - Qatar's men and France's women struck gold at the 2016 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan on Sunday 5 June.
After dropping their first game, Qatar went on to win their next six, knocking out last year's two finalists Argentina and New Zealand in the quarters and semi-finals.
In the final,Qatar defeated Brazil (20-12) thanks to number one 3x3 player in the world (in the U18 category) Nedim Muslic and big man Seydou Ndoye, who scored 6 apiece.
Brazilian star Fabricio Verissimo led all scorers in the final (with 7 points). He finished top scorer of the tournament and was named MVP.
In the bronze medal game, Italy stunned reigning champions New Zealand (21-14) thanks to 12 points from Flavio Gay, who joined Fabricio and New Zealand's Tai Wynyard in the team of the tournament.
In the women's event, France and USA played a rematch of last year's final and France went back to back after a 21-12 finish. The team remained undefeated during the entire tournament and was led by tournament top scorer and MVP Astou Gaye.
Fellow member of the Team of the Tournament Megan Walker carried USA to a silver medal. Spain finished third after beating Czech Republic (18-12) in the bronze medal game. Czech rising star Sara Krumpholcova completed the Team of the Tournament.
Hungary did not shine in the team's event but achieved to earn a medal in each one of the three individual contests.
The number one 3x3 player in the U18 women's category Veronika Kanyasi dominated the skills contest in every round. Julia Niemojewska (Poland) won silver and Nathaly Pinelo won the first-ever medal for Guatemala at a 3x3 event.
In the shoot-out contest, Robert Füzi collected bronze while Weronika Nowakowska won gold for Poland and Hamish McDonald (New Zealand) struck silver.
Last but not least, Krisztofer Durazi struck bronze in the dunk contest. Belgium won their first-ever medal at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships thanks to the high-flying Zaccharie Mortant. Alberto Perez (Spain) earned a silver medal.
El Jaish cagers rally to retain Emir’s Cup
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23 Apr 2016
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The Jeish team defend well against Al Gharafa and avenge for 2013-14 loss
Defending champions El Jaish brought in Al Arabi Club coach Hatem Mamlouk for the Emir’s Cup Basketball Championship and their move turned out to be a masterstroke with the army team managing to defend the title with a 73-63 victory against Al Gharafa Club on Friday.
This was the third straight final showdown of the premier event on the Qatar Basketball Federation’s calendar for El Jaish and it was played at the home of three-time winners Al Gharafa Club.
With El Jaish packing the hall with more supporters, the army team, despite a slow start, worked hard through guards Fadi Hani Abilmona and Mansour Atif Elhadary, holding themselves together for a fighting victory.
The triumph was worth QR1 million for El Jaish, while Koussay Hatem-tutored Al Gharafa Club, who had never lost the Emir’s Cup final in previous appearances, had to be content with QR550,000.
QBF President Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al Thani presented the awards. Also present on the occasion were Brazilian Basketball Confederation head Carlos Nunes and representatives of sponsors Salam Internationals and IBQ.
Centre Vernon Leon Macklin was the highest scorer for the champions with 18. Guard Adamu Saaka earned 15, forward Ali Turki Ali netted 12 and Abilmona gathered 11.
Forward Emmanuel Adako posted a match-high figure of 22 points for Al Gharafa and point guard Kevin Galloway (19 points and 12 rebounds) had the only double-double of the match but it proved futile.
This was the fourth clash of the season between the two sides. Al Gharafa had clinched two clashes in the League but the army team hit back to pocket the third-place playoff. And tonight, they proved a better side again and evened the win-loss record against Al Gharafa
El Jaish and Al Gharafa players could not find their range, which limited the scoring. Their best scoring runs gained them six points each in the first quarter and they improved it to eight in the next. They led and struck back in turns, which left Al Gharafa leading by a point at the interval (37-36).
However, El Jaish improved the scoring a bit in the third quarter and two back-to-back three-pointers at 42-20 by Saaka and Abilmona sent them eight points clear and more importantly on the way to the victory.
Then Al Gharafa tried to claw their way back into the game and ran into foul problems, which helped El Jaish stick out their neck out of water and scrape out the triumph.
El Jaish coach Mamlouk was speechless and thanked god for being able to live up to the faith that the club management put into him. Captain Abilmona said, “This is the biggest basketball competition in Qatar. To win it two times in two years is even more amazing for me.
“Though we the entered semis of the League and Qatar Cup, we could not do as well as we wanted. But we finished the season on a high and retained the Emir’s Cup, which is incredible. I want to thank my god, teammates and the new coach for this success,” added the point guard.
This win also soothed some of the pain for El Jaish, who had lost the 2013-14 Emir’s Cup final to Al Gharafa. Their big man Macklin was also delighted with the victory and said, “We came out here to play together and fight as one unit. This helped us win the second Emir’s Cup back to back. It’s just wonderful.
“The coach had prepared a great plan. We all stuck together and worked on some specifics to pull it off,” added the centre.
Al Gharafa coach Hatem said his team lost the way when Hassino Ndoye could not play up to the hopes. “It was a close final. We played good at the defence but our attack was not as strong. Hassino had a bad day and as a result, our system collapsed.
“Anyway, we have the consolation of reaching the finals of the two major events and hopefully, we’ll have a better luck next season,” added the Iraqi coach.
Result
Result
El Jaish beat Al Gharafa Club 73-63 (halftime 36-37)
Main performers – El Jaish: Vernon Leon Macklin 18, Adamu Saaka 15, Ali Turki Ali 12, Fadi Hani Abilmona 11
Al Gharafa Club: Emmanuel Adako 22, Kevin Galloway 19 & 12 rebounds
Teams –
El Jaish: Mansour Atif Elhadary 0, *Adamu Saaka 1, Dieng Babacar 2, Saeed Ibrahim al Malki 5, *Fadi Hani Abilmona 6, *Ali Turki Ali 9, Jouad Kouraty 20, *Vernon Leon Macklin 22, Babcar Ngom 23, Khalid Mohamed Abdrabbo 25, Aladji Bobo Magassa 26, * Mohd Yousuf Mohammed 33
Head Coach: Hatem Mamlouk (Tunisia)
Al Gharafa Club: *Abdulrahman Mohamed Saad 4, Nedim Muslic 5, Mohammed Mahmoud Nayef 6, Feisal Mohammed Esmaeili 7, *Hassino Ndoye 8, Raslan Rashid al Abdulla 10, Salama Ali Seleem El Sakka 12, * Kevin Galloway 13, *Emmanuel Adako 14, *Omar Abdelkader Salem 15
Head Coach: Koussay Hatem (Iraq); Assistant Coach: Yasser Abdul Waab
(* first five team players)
