Qatar's national 3x3 basketball teams make quantum leap in world rankings
Tribune News Network
Doha
The Qatar national 3x3 basketball team achieved a significant milestone in the FIBA world rankings rising to 18th place with a total of 1,131,976 points, moving up from 23rd and surpassing teams such as Poland, New Zealand, Canada, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, the Philippines, and Australia.
Meanwhile, the QatarU-23 3x3 national team has made a remarkable leap of 19 places to secure the fifth position in the world with 832,921 points, outpacing established teams like China, Japan, Latvia, Algeria, the Netherlands, and Italy, thus achieving its highest ranking to date, previously being ranked 24th.
The impressive progress is indicative of the extensive efforts being made by the Qatari sports system, particularly by the Qatar Basketball Federation.
This advancement is a direct result of the strong performances exhibited by both teams in various international tournaments, which have played a crucial role in elevating their global standings and solidifying their status among the elite teams worldwide.
This notable improvement in the rankings of the Qatar basketball teams also signifies that the sport is on the brink of a new era of excellence, amidst widespread aspirations for further accomplishments in future events. This will bolster Qatar's presence in international arenas and actualize the national vision towards a sustainable sporting culture rooted in competition, passion, and achievement.
The Qatar U-23 3x3 national team has firmly positioned itself on the continental stage, having won the third and sixth stages of the FIBA 3x3 Nations League - Asia-Pacific, which was hosted by the Qatar Basketball Federation in Doha from May 28 to June 3, featuring 12 of the world's leading teams.
Qatar amassed 520 points during these competitions, securing victories in two stages and finishing as runners-up in the first, second, and fourth stages. This achievement places them in a favorable position to qualify for the World Championships set to take place in Xiong'an, China, from September 17 to 21, pending the conclusion of the remaining continental qualifiers.
QBF President Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb expressed his great pride in the achievement, stressing that this accomplishment is the result of long-term planning and continuous efforts from everyone.
He said: 'We are very proud of this advancement in the world rankings, as it reflects the hard work undertaken by the national team at all levels. We faced difficult challenges and achieved positive results that helped us improve our ranking. This unprecedented position is a major morale boost and confirms that Qatar basketball is heading in the right direction. On this occasion, I can only extend my thanks and gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, for his continuous support and constant interest in the sport of basketball.'
For his part, Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, QBF Secretary-General, also expressed his happiness with this achievement, describing it as the culmination of a period of hard institutional work and continuous development.
He said: 'What has been achieved is the result of organized teamwork, reflecting the Federation's commitment to developing the game at all levels. The world ranking is not just a number; it is an indicator of the maturity of the sporting project led by Qatar, and proof that our technical plans are on the right track. We promise the Qatar fans more achievements and championships in the coming period.'
Meanwhile, Captain Yassin Ismail, Director of the National Basketball Teams (3x3), commended the achievements of the first and under-23 teams, considering their advancement in the world rankings the fruit of long-term commitment and discipline from the players and the technical staff.
'We have made significant progress in the 3x3 category, and have benefited from hosting the various stages of the Nations League, where the national team has shown a high level of technical performance. Winning two stages and being on the podium in most of the stages reflects our consistent performance. We are close to securing a place in the World Championship, and this is a major goal that we are working towards with all seriousness. What has been achieved so far is honorable, but we aspire for more,' he said.
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