Qatar's Ambassador to Singapore Supports National Team Qatar Advances to Quarterfinals of FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup

Qatar’s national basketball team (3x3) began its campaign at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, hosted in Singapore from April 1–5, 2026, with a strong victory over India, 16–11, in the opening Group D match. The players demonstrated clear tactical discipline and imposed their offensive rhythm from the start, capitalizing on decisive opportunities under the basket while limiting the threat of the Indian team, which entered the competition with high ambitions after advancing through the qualifiers.

The team’s debut was marked by the presence and support of H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al-Malki Al-Jehani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Singapore, who attended the match to encourage the players. His presence reflected Qatar’s ongoing commitment to supporting national teams in international competitions and strengthening the country’s sports diplomacy on the global stage.

In their second match, Qatar faced a tougher challenge against New Zealand, one of the continent’s strongest 3x3 teams. The players encountered intense physical pressure and rapid offensive and defensive transitions, with the game ending in New Zealand’s favor, 21–11.

At the conclusion of the group stage, Qatar secured qualification to the quarterfinals, where they will face China on April 5, 2026. China had earlier lost to Malaysia (19–21) but defeated Australia (21–15) in Group B.

Qatar’s participation aligns with the Qatar Basketball Federation’s strategy to develop 3x3 teams through consistent involvement in continental and international tournaments, aiming to enhance player experience against diverse styles of play and keep pace with the rapid growth of this globally popular discipline.

The Qatari delegation in Singapore is headed by Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, alongside Captain Yaseen Ismail, Director of 3x3 National Teams. The technical staff is led by Coach Marco. The men’s squad includes Mohammed Hashem Zidan, Mubarak Jama, Dejan Janic, and Nedim Muslic.

The tournament features 22 Asian teams: Mongolia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Philippines, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Tonga, Thailand, Turkmenistan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Macau, Maldives, and Qatar.

The FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup enjoys wide international attention as a key platform to assess team performance in this fast-paced format, which has become a core part of the global basketball calendar following its inclusion in the Olympic Games.

On this occasion, Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari emphasized that Qatar’s opening victory over India was a positive step toward competitiveness, while stressing that greater ambition requires more effort and focus in upcoming matches.
He stated: “We achieved an important win at the start against India, 16–11, which gives the players confidence. We succeeded in imposing our style early and adhered well to tactical instructions. However, bigger challenges lie ahead in this strong tournament.”

He added: “Facing New Zealand was a true test of our capabilities. They are a team with great experience, physical strength, and speed, which made the match difficult. Such games are essential for gaining experience and improving performance.”

Al-Kuwari noted that the team benefited technically from both matches, confirming that the coaching staff is working quickly to address observations before the next stage. He concluded: “We are competing among Asia and Oceania’s elite teams. Every match is a valuable lesson, and our main goal is gradual development and presenting a respectable image of Qatari basketball in this category.”

He also praised the presence and support of H.E. Ambassador Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al-Malki Al-Jehani, considering it a major morale boost for the players.

Meanwhile, Captain Yaseen Ismail highlighted that Qatar’s participation in the Asia Cup represents an important milestone in the team’s development plan. He noted that the performance in the first two matches reflected clear progress despite the difficulty of the group.
He said: “The start was good with the win over India, where the players showed focus and discipline, executing tactical instructions well, which was reflected in both the result and performance.”

He added: “The New Zealand match was completely different in terms of rhythm, physicality, and experience. We faced one of the strongest 3x3 teams in the continent, and such matches are crucial for gaining experience and raising the players’ level.”

Ismail concluded by affirming that this participation is part of a long-term strategy to elevate Qatar’s 3x3 basketball, enhancing player readiness through direct competition with diverse playing styles at the highest continental levels.