Sixth Dubai Open Basketball Academies Championship Set to Kick Off with Over 1,200 Players

Dubai, UAE – The Dubai Sports Council has announced the launch of the Sixth Dubai Open Basketball Academies Championships, scheduled to begin on September 29, 2024. This annual event will feature more than 1,200 male and female players across various age categories, with 80 teams competing in over 300 matches during the first phase of the tournament, which concludes on December 8, 2024. The second phase will follow from January until the end of the 2025 sports season.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters, attended by key figures, including Ahmed Salem Al Mahri, Director of the Sports Development Department at the Dubai Sports Council, and Qais Omar Al Shabibi, captain of the UAE national basketball team and a star player of Shabab Al Ahli Basketball Club.

Ahmed Salem Al Mahri highlighted the importance of the tournament in the Dubai government’s broader plan for 2033, emphasizing the council’s commitment to developing and nurturing basketball talent across Dubai. He expressed his hope that the tournament would serve as a platform for discovering young talents and providing opportunities for players to grow professionally.

“The tournament is a major source for attracting and developing sports talents in basketball,” Al Mahri stated, further explaining that the event enables clubs and private academies to select the best talents to strengthen their teams.

Mohammed Al Hammadi, Executive Director of the UAE Basketball Federation, pledged support for the event, emphasizing the federation’s dedication to fostering talent and strengthening the game at the grassroots level. Meanwhile, Bassam Noufal, General Manager of Sport 360, underscored the role of the tournament in promoting basketball among the youth and noted that talent scouts would be present to identify promising players.

Qais Omar Al Shabibi, who has been a key figure in UAE basketball, praised the growth of the tournament, noting the increase in participants since its inception. “I am proud to be part of this wonderful growth,” he said, encouraging young players to participate and follow their coaches’ guidance.

The competition will include players aged 8 to 18, divided into several groups per category, with at least six teams per group. Matches will take place three times a week and will be overseen by UAE Basketball Federation-accredited referees.

This year’s edition aims to build on the success of previous tournaments by providing young athletes with the opportunity to showcase their skills and passion for basketball, contributing to the overall growth of the sport in the UAE.