Al Arabi Crowned Qatar U-16 Basketball Cup Champions… Al Sadd Finish as Runners-up

Doha – May 5, 2026:

Al Arabi Club claimed the title of the Qatar U-16 Basketball Cup for the 2025–2026 season after defeating Al Sadd 94–74 in the final held on Tuesday evening, May 5, 2026, at Al Gharafa Hall. The tournament concluded with a strong competitive level among the participating teams.

The match began with Al Arabi imposing its dominance early, entering with high focus and determination to dictate the pace. They completely controlled the first quarter, finishing with a commanding 30–9 lead, capitalizing on fast offensive transitions, effective spacing, and tight defensive pressure that limited Al Sadd's attack.

In the second quarter, Al Arabi maintained its strong performance, diversifying offensive solutions and exploiting defensive errors, ending the period 27–15. This gave them a comfortable advantage by halftime, despite Al Sadd's attempts to reduce the gap through organized offensive plays.

Al Sadd responded better in the third quarter, showing improved balance on both ends of the court. They won the quarter 19–16, thanks to stronger defensive coverage and successful drives and perimeter shooting.

The fourth quarter saw Al Sadd continue their offensive push, producing their best spell of the game with a 31–21 advantage. Their players displayed fighting spirit and determination to narrow the margin, but the large lead built by Al Arabi in the first half proved decisive. The final score stood at 94–74, securing Al Arabi's championship victory by a 20-point margin.

Following the match, the awarding ceremony took place. Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, presented the championship trophy and gold medals to Al Arabi, amid celebrations from players, coaches, and staff. Al Sadd received silver medals for finishing second.

The ceremony reflected the success of the tournament both organizationally and technically, with attendees praising the quality of the final and the performance of both teams, which highlighted the progress of youth basketball in Qatar.

Mr. Al-Kuwari commended the technical level of the competition, noting that it demonstrated significant development in Qatari basketball at the youth level. He emphasized that the final showcased the results of dedicated coaching and training within clubs, as well as the quality of player preparation.

He added that the Qatar Basketball Federation places great importance on youth competitions, considering them the foundation for building strong national teams in the future. Such tournaments provide players with valuable competitive experience and help refine their skills and physical abilities.

In conclusion, Al-Kuwari congratulated Al Arabi on their championship triumph and praised Al Sadd for their spirited performance in the final, stressing that matches of this caliber elevate the competitive standard and serve the future of Qatari basketball.