Qatar’s Reserve Basketball Team Faces Egypt in Second Match of Arab Championship

Manama, Bahrain - July 25, 2025: Qatar’s reserve basketball team is set to face a formidable challenge on Saturday, July 26, 2025, as they take on Egypt at 6:00 PM in Khalifa Sports City Arena, Manama, during the second round of the 26th Arab Men’s Basketball Championship. The tournament, which runs until August 2, features seven Arab national teams: Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, the UAE, and Kuwait, competing in a single-round league format, with the top team crowned champion.
Qatar aims to rebound and secure their first victory following a 72-61 defeat against hosts Bahrain in an exhilarating opening match. Despite a competitive performance, Bahrain clinched the win, capitalizing on their defensive discipline and swift transitions. Bahrain led 14-6 after the first quarter, but Qatar fought back in the second, outscoring their opponents 18-17, showcasing the resilience of their young squad. Bahrain regained control in the third quarter (19-13), while Qatar edged the fourth (24-22), though it wasn’t enough to overturn the result.

Diyan Janic led Qatar with 22 points, while Bahrain’s Jakar Sampson shone with 26 points, securing his team’s first two points in the standings. Qatar earned one point despite the loss. The opening day also saw the UAE defeat Kuwait 87-79 and Algeria edge Tunisia 86-81 in a thrilling encounter.

Qatar will rest on July 27 and 28 before facing Algeria on Tuesday, July 29, at 4:00 PM, followed by a tough match against the UAE on Wednesday, July 30, at the same time. After a break on July 31, Qatar will play Kuwait on Friday, August 1, at 6:00 PM, and conclude their campaign against Tunisia on Saturday, August 2, at 4:00 PM.

The Qatari squad, featuring promising talents like Abdullah Yassin, Owen Ikena Amah, Raslan Rashid Al-Abdulla, Mubarak Rashid Jama, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Osama Abdelnasser, Tameem Abu Issa, Azzam Mohammed, Mohammed Ahmed, Mahmoud Deeb, Issa Alert, Hamza Al-Attar, and Diyan Janic, represents the future of Qatari basketball. This participation aligns with the Qatar Basketball Federation’s strategy to nurture a new generation for the senior national team. The team’s recent appearance at the 44th William Jones International Tournament in Taipei, China, provided valuable international experience, boosting their mental and physical readiness for this championship.