2025 International Friendly Basketball Tournament to begin on Monday

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July 27, 2025
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27-July-2025

2025 International Friendly Basketball Tournament to begin on Monday

Doha: The Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) has officially confirmed the completion of all organizational and technical arrangements ahead of the launch of the 2025 International Friendly Basketball Tournament, set to begin today at Lusail Sports Hall. The tournament will run through August 1.

The competition will feature four national teams from Asia: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Iraq. It forms a key component of the Qatari national team’s final preparation phase for the upcoming 31st FIBA Asia Cup, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17, with 16 teams competing.

QBF noted that all delegations have arrived in Doha and were welcomed with warm hospitality and smooth logistics, reflecting Qatar’s continued excellence in hosting regional and international sporting events.

The tournament schedule opens on Monday with hosts Qatar facing Saudi Arabia. Action resumes on Wednesday with a high-stakes clash between Qatar and Japan, followed by Iraq’s encounter with Saudi Arabia. The final day, August 1, will see Saudi Arabia take on Japan, and the curtain will fall with a showdown between Qatar and Iraq.

QBF President Mohammed Saad Al Meghaiseeb stressed that hosting this tournament aligns with the Federation’s commitment to ensuring the national team benefits from high-level match experience ahead of continental competition. He also highlighted the role such events play in enhancing cooperation with peer federations, in line with QBF’s broader vision for basketball development.

QBF Secretary General and Director of National Teams, Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, affirmed the Federation’s full readiness to stage the tournament, citing close coordination with all relevant stakeholders to guarantee a world-class sporting atmosphere that reflects Qatar’s stature as a global hub for sports.

The Qatari squad, led by Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, includes:
Omar Mohammed Saad, Abdulrahman Saad, Ahmed Saeed Mohammed, Zain Eldin Al Badri, Hajji Bobo Magassa, Babacar Dieng, Mohammed Al Sayed, Saidu Al Hajj Ndaye, Hamad Yassin, Mustafa Ndao, Ghassan Hajjar, Mahmoud Darwish, Tyler James Lee, Brandon Goodwin, Alen Hadzibegovic, and Mohammed Brashar.

In the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, Qatar has been drawn into Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon. The team will kick off its campaign against Lebanon on August 6, followed by South Korea on August 8, and Australia on August 10.

The tournament follows a group-stage format, with group winners advancing directly to the quarterfinals. Teams finishing second and third will play crossover qualifiers for the remaining knockout spots.