Zain edge closer to Cup final - Aug 11, 2010 (by Yousef Ahmed)
ZAIN inched closer to qualifying for the final of the Bahrain Industrial Basketball Cup after defeating Bahrain Training Institute (BTI) 73-71 at the Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam.
Zain used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to take control of the contest after trailing by double digits for the opening three quarters.
BTI took a 17-16 lead at the end of the first, which they extended to 36-31 at half-time [read more]
ZAIN inched closer to qualifying for the final of the Bahrain Industrial Basketball Cup after defeating Bahrain Training Institute (BTI) 73-71 at the Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. Zain used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to take control of the contest after trailing by double digits for the opening three quarters. BTI took a 17-16 lead at the end of the first, which they extended to 36-31 at half-time. BTI then appeared to have already secured the win after moving comfortably ahead 58-44 heading into the final canto, but the start of the fourth signalled a complete turn-around for both sides. Led by the trio of Mahmood Akbar, Abdulla Al Khaja and Younes Quwayed, Zain battled back and outscored BTI 29-13 in the fourth and claim the victory by just a single possession. Akbar led Zain's attack with 23 points while Al Khaja contributed 22. Quwayed chipped in with 19 in the win. Both teams will meet up again tonight in the same semi-final round, which is being played in a special format. The winner will advance to the final. Source: GDN Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bahrain gearing up for GCC championship - Jul 28, 2010 (by Patrick Salomon)
BAHRAIN'S men's national basketball team have begun their preparations for this year's GCC Championship, which takes place in Dubai from September 25 to October 3.Recently named head coach Saleh Al Haddad is now conducting intensive training with a squad of 19 hopefuls at the Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. He is joined by assistant coach Salah Mousa.The roster will be trimmed to 12 for the championship [read more]
BAHRAIN'S men's national basketball team have begun their preparations for this year's GCC Championship, which takes place in Dubai from September 25 to October 3.
Recently named head coach Saleh Al Haddad is now conducting intensive training with a squad of 19 hopefuls at the Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. He is joined by assistant coach Salah Mousa.
The roster will be trimmed to 12 for the championship.
The nationals feature a good blend of young and veteran talent and are expected to be one of the better shooting squads of the upcoming regional tiff.
They will be spearheaded by star big man Ahmed Al Mutawa, who has recently signed a lucrative deal to return to his former club Manama. Mutawa had been playing as a professional in Kuwait over the past couple of seasons, and his homecoming has made him the highest-paid Bahraini player in league history.
Mutawa will be surrounded by several prolific scorers in the form of Manama trio Mohammed Hassan, Mahmood Ghuloom and Bader Abdulla Malabes; Mohammed Quwayed of Sitra; and Sayed Hashim from two-time defending league champions Al Ahli.
The team also comprises several dead-eye shooters in Manama's Hassan Nairouz; Muharraq's Jassim Mohammed, Ali Abbas and Mohammed Abdulmajeed; and Al Hala's Ahmed Hajji.
Set to run their high-octane offence will be veteran point guard Hussain Shaker of Ahli, and young and athletic court general Ahmed Abdulaziz of Manama.
Beefing up the team's frontline alongside Mutawa are enforcers Mohammed Qurban from Ahli, Essa Ebrahim of Muharraq and Ali Derwas from Nuwaidrat; while their solid supporting cast is rounded out by Maytham Jameel and Abdulrahman Shali of Ahli and Mahmood Qahdemi of Hala.
The current squad of 19 players will be reduced to 14 prior to the team's 10-day overseas training camp, the location of which has yet to be confirmed, although Bahrain Basketball Association general secretary Abdulelah Abdulghaffar says it will likely be held in Tunisia.
The camp has been scheduled for after the forthcoming Eid holidays.
Another two players will be cut upon returning to Bahrain to make the final roster of 12 for the championship.
Al Mutawa Interview - Jun 30, 2010 (by Yousef Ahmed)
Ahmed Al Mutawa (199-F/C-81, agency: Low Country Sports Management, college: Broward CC) has been making news since he arrived in Bahrain in 2003, Bahrain fans have had the joy of watching his career unfold and now with his return to Manama Club he is front page news again. Here are some questions that he answered for Asia Basket.
Why did you leave Kuwait?
First of all I want to thank Asia Basket news for its support in following my career and all Basketball news in Bahrain [read more]
Ahmed Al Mutawa (199-F/C-81, agency: Low Country Sports Management, college: Broward CC) has been making news since he arrived in Bahrain in 2003, Bahrain fans have had the joy of watching his career unfold and now with his return to Manama Club he is front page news again. Here are some questions that he answered for Asia Basket.
Why did you leave Kuwait? First of all I want to thank Asia Basket news for its support in following my career and all Basketball news in Bahrain. I left Kuwait because it was time for me to return to Bahrain, I am thankful to Kuwait club for many things, but there is nothing like playing in your home country.
How do you feel about coming back to Manama? I am very excited to come back and is always fun playing for a team with so many loyal fans.
Why hasn't Manama won in the last 4 years? Well wining is not easy for any team and specially when many players retired or left the team; Manama wasnt the same after that last championship. Rebuilding a team is very challenging and with a club like Manama that Basketball is number one and everybody understands the game, Management has a handful job, but I believe that they are on the right track and I am proud to rejoin The Manama family.
Are you going to continue playing with the National team? If I get invited to join the team, it's always an honor to play for my country
What are you looking to do the most in your return? Definitely jumpstart my career in Bahrain and bring the championship back to Manama.
Al Mutawa is the X factor for any team in the GCC, We are looking forward to seeing him play back in his home country, best of luck to Manama Club next season.
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