Qatar U18 Basketball Team Holds Training Camp in Türkiye Ahead of GCC Championship

DOHA – Qatar's U18 national basketball team has entered the final phase of its preparations for the GCC U18 Basketball Championship by launching a training camp in Yalova, Türkiye, ahead of the tournament scheduled to take place in Doha from 17 to 22 July.The national delegation departed for Türkiye to begin a ten-day training camp running from 6 to 15 July, as part of the team's final build-up for the regional championship, which serves as a qualifier for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup.The camp forms part of the Qatar Basketball Federation's comprehensive preparation program aimed at enhancing the players' technical and physical readiness, while providing the coaching staff with the opportunity to finalize the strongest possible roster before the start of official competition. Qatar will be targeting one of the qualification places for the continental championship.As part of the program, the team will play four friendly matches against Turkish clubs and the Türkiye U18 national team, offering valuable international competition to strengthen team chemistry, sharpen match fitness, and assess the squad's readiness before returning to Doha.The squad includes Tamim Ashraf Abuissa, Mishal Khalid Al Mughni, Moaz Omar Mousa, Azzam Mohammed Yakan, Ziad Tamer Al Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Mousa, Owen Ikena, Yousef Waleed Abdulqader, and Shahi Mohammed.The GCC U18 Basketball Championship, to be held at Al Gharafa Sports Hall, will feature five national teams Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman with the top three finishers securing direct qualification to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, which will take place in India next month.The continental tournament carries added significance as it serves as the qualifying pathway to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in the Czech Republic, with the top four teams from the U18 Asia Cup earning World Cup berths.

Qatar's Cherif Younousse, Ahmed Tijan Named Asia's Best Men's Beach Volleyball Players

DOHA  - Qatar's Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan have been named Asia's Best Men's Beach Volleyball Players at the inaugural Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Gala 2026, in recognition of their outstanding performances throughout the season.The Qatari pair received the honor after producing a string of impressive performances in continental and international competitions, further strengthening Qatar's standing among the world's leading beach volleyball nations.Younousse and Tijan will officially receive the award at the AVC Gala 2026 in Bangkok on August 8, where leading players and officials from across Asia will gather to celebrate the continent's top individual and team achievements.The award marks another milestone for Qatari beach volleyball and reflects the national team's sustained success on both the continental and international stages. 

Girls Activities Get Underway in Team Qatar Summer Program 2026

Doha – The Team Qatar Summer Program 2026, dedicated to the sons and daughters of employees of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), has successfully entered its second week of activities. Organised by the QOC's Sports Events Department, the Program is being delivered in collaboration with the Qatar Stars League Foundation, the Qatar Bowling Federation, the Qatar Police Sports Federation, Perf Up Centre, the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum 3-2-1, and several national sports federations.The second week of the Program officially commenced with activities for girls, featuring a series of educational and sports field visits. Participants began on Sunday with a visit to the Qatar Bowling Federation, followed by a visit to the Lusail Shooting Range on Monday. The Program will continue with a visit to the Perf Up Centre on Tuesday, 7 July, the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum 3-2-1 on Wednesday, 8 July, before concluding on Thursday, 9 July, with a visit to the Qatar Gymnastics Federation.These activities form part of a diverse Program designed to enrich participants' experiences through a combination of educational content and hands-on sporting activities.The Team Qatar Summer Program 2026 also places great emphasis on strengthening partnerships with parents, reflecting the Qatar Olympic Committee's firm belief in the vital role families play in encouraging children to engage in physical activity and adopt healthy lifestyles, thereby helping to foster a lasting culture of sport and active living within the community.The Program features a wide range of sporting, cultural and educational activities hosted across multiple venues throughout Qatar, offering participants a rewarding experience that combines learning with recreation while developing their life and social skills in a safe, supportive and inspiring environment.The second edition of the Program, running from 28 June to 9 July, has attracted strong participation, bringing together 57 children (30 boys and 27 girls). Participants are enjoying a diverse Program of sporting, recreational and educational activities designed to develop personal skills, promote Olympic values, and strengthen the spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork.The Program is open to children aged 8 to 12, while the volunteer Program is dedicated to young people aged 16 to 18. Through the youth volunteer initiative, the Program seeks to cultivate responsibility, teamwork and leadership skills among participants.Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Hassan Rabiah Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications at the Qatar Stars League Foundation, said: "We are delighted to take part in this training session as part of the Team Qatar Summer Programme, which provides an excellent opportunity for young participants to make productive use of their summer through meaningful activities that help develop both their sporting and social skills."He added: "Our participation reflects the Foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting community initiatives and programs that contribute to building an aware and capable generation while instilling positive sporting and behavioral values in young people. It also demonstrates our commitment to contributing to programs that combine education, entertainment and skills development, in line with our mission to maximize football's positive social impact and its role in developing the abilities of children and young people." 

Qatar’s U21 Men’s and Women’s 3x3 Teams Set for FIBA Nations League Opener in China

Beijing - Qatar's men's and women's U21 3x3 national teams will begin their campaigns Monday in Stop 1 of the FIBA 3x3 U21 Nations League 2026 - Asia-1, which will be held in Tangshan, China, from July 6-8, 2026.Qatar's men's U21 team will compete in Group B of the continental tournament and will open their campaign against host China.The men's competition features five teams, with Group A comprising Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Russia, while Group B consisting of Qatar and China.Qatar enter the tournament ranked third among the participating teams, behind top-ranked Mongolia and second-ranked China, while Kazakhstan are seeded fourth and Russia fifth.Meanwhile, Qatar's women's U21 team will begin their campaign tomorrow with two Group A games, facing Russia before taking on China.The women's competition features the same five teams, with China entering as the top seed, followed by Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Qatar are ranked fourth and Russia fifth.The participation of Qatar's two national teams forms part of the Qatar Basketball Federation's strategy to mobilize a generation capable of competing regionally and globally by gaining exposure to a wide swath of Asian basketball schools and internalizing further expertise in one of the continent's premier 3x3 basketball contests.The tournament earns magnitude as one of the qualifying stops for the FIBA 3x3 U21 World Cup 2026, slated to be held in Wuhan, China, from September 15 to 19.Results from the various stops will play a crucial role in determining the qualified teams, while also contributing to an improved world ranking and paving the way for  participation in higher-tier FIBA competitions in the future.

Qatar Basketball Teams Set for Busy International Week

Doha: Qatar's basketball teams are preparing for an important week on the international stage, with the senior national team set to conclude the third window of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, while the country's U21 men's and women's 3×3 teams begin their campaigns at the FIBA 3×3 U21 Nations League in China.The senior national team will face Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening in Jeddah in the final Group D fixture of the third qualification window. Although Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon have already secured qualification for the second round, the match remains highly significant as results between qualified teams will carry over to the next stage, making every victory valuable.Lebanon currently lead Group D with nine points, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia are level on eight points each heading into the final round of fixtures.Qatar approach the match in high spirits after defeating India 65–56 in Ahmedabad, producing an impressive second-half comeback to strengthen their qualifying campaign. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after an 88–82 defeat to Lebanon.The Qatari delegation is headed by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, alongside Team Manager Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani and Assistant Team Manager Nabil Jumaa.The team is coached by Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, assisted by Cengiz Karadağ, Mirsad Memić, and Abdou Sow, with Mohamed Vural serving as strength and conditioning coach. The medical staff includes Dr. Adel Harmiyeh, Dr. Adel Saleem, and Nikasio Sagaino.Qatar's 12-player roster comprises Abdulrahman Saad, Mostafa Fouda, Omar Saad, Zeineddine Badr, Mohamed Hashem, Mostafa Ndaw, Babacar Dieng, Ousmane Dieng, Aladji Bobo Magassa, Alen Hadzibegović, Donte Grantham, and Mahmoud Darwish.Meanwhile, Qatar's U21 men's and women's 3×3 national teams have arrived in Tangshan, China, to participate in the opening stop of the FIBA 3×3 U21 Nations League 2026 – Asia 1, taking place from July 6 to 8.The tournament represents an important stage in FIBA's youth development pathway and serves as a qualifying event for the FIBA 3×3 U21 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Wuhan, China, in September.Qatar's men's team features Sultan Abouissa, Fahad Al Awjan, Mostafa Ndaw, Omar Ahmed, and Ghassan Hajar under head coach Bramir Berbakov, while the women's squad includes Sama Jasser, Tania Tawil, Sara Bukhit, and Tala Tawil, led by Lebanese coach Rana Bzazou.The participation reflects the Qatar Basketball Federation's commitment to developing the 3×3 discipline by providing young athletes with valuable international experience and the opportunity to compete against some of Asia's leading emerging teams. Strong performances in the Nations League will also enhance Qatar's prospects of qualifying for the U21 World Cup and future elite FIBA 3×3 competitions. 

Philippines Crowned Champions of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4

Doha – In an exciting atmosphere that reflected the growing passion for esports, the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4 concluded on Saturday evening at Mall of Qatar, following two days of intense competition featuring some of the world’s top national teams. The tournament was organized by the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, in cooperation with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Qatar Basketball Federation, and the Qatar Esports Federation.The Grand Final delivered an exciting contest that remained closely contested until the final moments, with Philippines defeating Turkiye by 3-0 to claim the title of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4. France occupied the third place and Algeria finished fourth in the tournament.The accompanying fan engagement activities also drew large crowds of visitors and shoppers at Mall of Qatar, who had the opportunity to take commemorative photos with the official trophy of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, in an interactive atmosphere that reflected the growing excitement ahead of Qatar’s hosting of the global basketball showpiece. The activities also contributed to strengthening community engagement and raising awareness of the tournament among visitors of all ages.The closing day was attended by Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain, Director General of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, Mrs. Fatima Sultan Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar’s Olympic and Paralympic Games 2036 bid, H.E. Dr. Mustafa Göksu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the State of Qatar; H.E. Mr. Mardomel Celo D. Melicor, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Qatar; Predrag Bogosavljev, Director of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, along with members of the Local Organizing Committee.During the awards ceremony, Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain and Predrag Bogosavljev presented the championship trophy to the winners and runners-up, while also honoring the third and fourth-placed teams and presenting the tournament’s individual awards, including the All-Star Five Team, in a festive ceremony that reflected the success of the event.The top four teams shared the tournament’s prize fund, with champions Philippines receiving USD 20,000, runners-up Türkiye earning USD 10,000, third-placed France collecting USD 6,000, and fourth-placed Algeria  receiving USD 4,000.Among the individual awards, Miguel Hubillar was named Finals MVP, receiving USD 2,500, while Kenneth Gutierrez claimed the Defensive Player of the Tournament award, also worth USD 2,500. Each member of the All-Star Five Team received USD 1,000 in recognition of their outstanding performances throughout the tournament.On the occasion, Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain, Director General of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, said:“This tournament represents a pioneering and unprecedented experience in the Middle East, delivered through an innovative competition model inspired by the atmosphere of the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. It also reflects Qatar’s commitment to the principles of sporting sustainability and its ambition to create a lasting global basketball legacy, while further promoting the game and expanding its fan base across the region.”He also expressed his appreciation to all partners and stakeholders involved in organizing the tournament, praising their efforts in delivering a successful international event that reflects Qatar’s vision of strengthening Doha’s position as a leading global destination for esports, while reinforcing sport’s role as a platform for bringing people together and building bridges of friendship between nations.Meanwhile, Mr. Predrag Bogosavljev FIBA World Basketball Cup Qatar 2027 Director, said:The successful conclusion of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 marks another significant milestone in Qatar's journey toward hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. Throughout the competition, we witnessed the remarkable ability of esports to unite basketball fans, gamers, and young audiences from around the world, further strengthening the connection between the traditional game and the rapidly evolving digital sports landscape.""This event has played an important role in building excitement and engagement on the Road to Qatar 2027, while showcasing Qatar's outstanding organizational capabilities and commitment to innovation in sport. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Organizing Committee, FIBA, participating national teams, partners, and everyone who contributed to the success of this memorable championship. By successfully hosting the eFIBA World Finals for the second consecutive year, Qatar continues to demonstrate its leadership in advancing both basketball and esports on the global stage."Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Meghaiseeb, Venue Readiness and Field Of Play Manager, affirmed that Qatar had successfully delivered the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4 to the highest international organizational, technical and operational standards. He added that esports play an important role in developing young people’s strategic thinking, enhancing reaction speed and concentration, improving analytical and planning abilities, strengthening decision-making under pressure, and cultivating effective problem-solving skills.