Beirut’s Lebanese victory in the 35th Arab Club Basketball Championship was not the only achievement that the team achieved in Doha. It was preceded by another achievement, which was winning the Qatar International Championship, which was the best preparation for the Arab Championship. What is notable, the new champion did not try the taste of loss in all the matches he played, and he was actually a knight of betting from the first moment and he was not affected by the bumps he faced, especially in the quarter-finals against Al-Ittihad Algeria, as well as in its match with Kuwait, the previous title holder, in the semi-finals. Major General Ismail Al-karkawi, President of the Arab and Emirati Basketball Federations, was keen during his coronation of the team to congratulate Nadeem Hakim, Vice President of The Arab Confedration, the club president, the players, and the administrative and technical staff, congratulated this great achievement. Al-Karkawi said that the final scene was wonderful, whether in terms of the technical level presented by Beirut and Salé, or in the public presence and the success of the referees’ team in managing a strong and exciting final, which reflected the status of this tournament and its progress significantly from year to year, which made it the focus of attention of officials in the International Federation. He added that this distinguished level also applies to most of the participating teams, especially those that were part of the quarter, semi-finals and final, and Al-Karkawi praised the efforts made by the General Secretariat of the Arab Federation, led by Brigadier General Abdullah Shalabi, Secretary-General, and its role in overcoming the difficulties that preceded the tournament, represented by team visas and television broadcasting, in cooperation with the Qatari Federation and the host Qatar Club. Al-Karkawi concluded his statements by saying that his federation will be keen to invest in the successes achieved in Doha and always strive to provide the best that is in the interest of Arab basketball.
For his part, Brigadier General Abdullah Shalabi praised the success of the new version and the levels presented by the teams, noting that it was difficult to predict the results and the identity of the teams advancing to the final rounds. Shalabi revealed the decision taken by the Arab Federation to classify the teams that qualified for the quarter-finals into the first level in the next tournament, which is: Beirut, Salé, Kuwait, Al-Ahly of Egypt, Al-Ittihad of Alexandria, Al-Ittihad of Algeria, Tigris of Iraq, Muharraq of Bahrain.
Eight teams from other Arab countries will join it, and a draw will be held between these new teams to distribute them to the groups. He added that this tournament has taken another turn after it was placed on the agenda of the International Federation.
العربية