Qatar U18 Clinches Gulf Silver and Books Place at FIBA Asia U18 Championship India 2026

30-July-2026

Qatar U18 Clinches Gulf Silver and Books Place at FIBA Asia U18 Championship India 2026

DOHA - The Qatar under‑18 basketball team secured second place and the silver medal in the Gulf qualifiers for the Asian Youth Championship, hosted in Doha amid strong competition among Gulf teams. With this achievement, Qatar confirmed its distinguished presence and booked a spot in the continental championship scheduled in Ahmedabad, India, from August 13 to 23, 2026.

Qatar finished runner‑up with seven points after losing the final match to Bahrain 77–45 on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Bahrain topped the standings with eight points from four consecutive victories, winning the championship trophy and gold medals. Saudi Arabia claimed third place and bronze with six points, Oman finished fourth with five points, and Kuwait came fifth with four points.

Bahrain started the final strongly, taking the first quarter 20–14, then extended its lead in the second 25–9. The third quarter ended 17–14 in Bahrain’s favor, and despite Qatar’s efforts in the fourth, Bahrain sealed the win 15–8.

Qatar had already secured qualification to the Asian Championship before the final round, following three consecutive victories: defeating Saudi Arabia 80–76, overcoming Kuwait 81–53, and beating Oman 80–67 in the decisive match that guaranteed passage to the continental stage.

Mr. Mohammed bin Saad Al‑Mughaisib, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation, crowned Bahrain with the championship trophy and gold medals, while Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al‑Kuwari, Secretary General of the Federation and Director of National Teams, awarded Qatar the silver medals.

Al‑Mughaisib emphasized that the team achieved its primary objective: securing qualification to the Asian Championship. He praised the players’ performance, stating: “The team fulfilled its mission by reaching the Asian finals, which was our main target before the qualifiers. We will now focus on preparing the squad optimally for continental competition, ensuring they represent Qatari basketball at the highest level.” He congratulated the players, technical staff, and administrators for their strong performances and high spirit.

Al‑Kuwari highlighted the technical level of the Gulf qualifiers, noting: “The tournament showcased a new generation capable of serving Gulf basketball in the future. We witnessed strong competition among all teams, reflecting the progress of the sport in the region. We are pleased with Qatar’s performance and success in qualifying, and we congratulate Bahrain on their achievement.”

Qatar was led by Turkish head coach Cengiz Karadağ, assisted by Abdo Al‑Harji, Hashem Zidan, and Munir Ben Ghalla. Kenan oversaw physical preparation, while Saif Al‑Din Al‑Hamandi managed medical and rehabilitation duties. Team director Khalid Ahmed Al‑Mughni, along with Omar Ahmed and Ayoub Rahmatullah, completed the administrative staff.

The squad included 12 players: Abdullah Yassin, Tamim Ashraf Abu Issa, Mishal Khalid Al‑Mughni, Muath Omar Mousa, Azzam Mohammed Yaken, Ziyad Tamer Al‑Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Mousa, Owen Ikina, Youssef Walid Abdelqader, and Shahi Mohammed.
* Bahrain: Champion, 8 points (4 wins) – Gold
* Qatar: Runner‑up, 7 points – Silver
* Saudi Arabia: Third, 6 points – Bronze
* Oman: Fourth, 5 points
* Kuwait: Fifth, 4 points

Qualification to the Asian Under‑18 Championship represents a crucial step for Qatar, offering valuable experience against Asia’s strongest teams and a chance to achieve positive results. The continental event also serves as a pathway to the FIBA Under‑19 Basketball World Cup in the Czech Republic in 2027, with four qualification slots allocated.

Hosting the Gulf qualifiers further underscores Qatar’s continued success in organizing major sporting events, as part of its preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, set to be staged for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa from August 27 to September 12, 2027.