The Qatar International Basketball Championship is scheduled to begin on February 15 and run through February 18 at Lusail Hall. Six teams, including Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Central African Republic, and Jordan, are set to participate. The inaugural match will tip-off at 5 pm, featuring Qatar against Saudi Arabia, followed by Bahrain versus Egypt at 7 pm. Admission to the tournament is open to the public at no charge.
The teams have been grouped into two categories: Group A comprises Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Central African Republic, while Group B consists of Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. This international basketball event serves as a preparatory platform for some teams gearing up for the 2025 Asian qualifiers, while others are honing their skills for the African qualifiers.
Qatar, as the host nation, will commence the tournament facing Saudi Arabia. In the subsequent group-stage matches, Egypt will take on Bahrain. On the following day, Qatar will compete against the Central African Republic, while Bahrain will challenge Jordan. The final day, February 18, will witness matches between teams from opposing groups based on their standings.
This tournament aligns with Qatar's preparations for the 2025 Asian Basketball Cup qualifiers, where Qatar finds itself in the fifth group alongside Iran, Kazakhstan, and India. The qualifying draw, featuring 24 teams, unfolded in Doha, Qatar's capital. Sixteen teams will secure berths in the continental championship through three qualifying windows, with matches commencing this February.
Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, the Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation, affirmed the completion of all necessary arrangements for the tournament. He also confirmed the arrival of participating teams in Doha, having concluded their preparations for the international event.
In his remarks highlighted the tournament's significance as ideal preparation for Qatar's national team, poised for its initial matches in the Asian qualifiers for the Asian Cup Finals, Al-Kuwari noted that the national team's first match is scheduled against Kazakhstan on Monday, February 26, at Lusail Hall. He further emphasized that the international tournament hosted by Qatar forms part of the promotional program for the Qatar World Cup 2027, encompassing various sporting and entertainment events and activities leading up to the tournament's commencement in Doha.
Concluding his address, Saadoun Al-Kuwari thanked all participating teams for their participation and collaboration toward achieving positive outcomes during the tournament. He also welcomed basketball enthusiasts to attend and witness the matches at Lusail Hall, with free admission.
Excited to see how it turns out!