BAHRAIN Basketball League champions Manama have announced Portuguese Mario Palma as their new coach for the upcoming season.
Palma will be replacing Serbian coach Rajko Toroman who led the team to their 20th league title.
Palma, 66, started out his coaching career in Angola, at their first appearance at the FIBA African Championship in 1980, finishing in seventh place.
He then moved to coach Portugese side Benfica leading them to their golden era, winning five titles at the Portuguese championship and the Cup of Portugal.
Palma rejoined Angola and led them to three consecutive gold medals at the FIBA African Championship in 1999, 2001 and 2003.
In his most recent position, Palma coached the Jordanian national team leading them to a bronze medal at the 2009 FIBA Asian Championship, while qualifying for the FIBA World Championship for the first time in their history. He was then chosen to take the role of head coach in Portugal.
Palma’s assistants and coaching staff are yet to be announced, however, Ayman Hamza, who was an assistant coach at the club, has announced he is to join competitors Al Ahli.
Al Ahli, who are currently coached by Aqeel Milad, will have Hamza as a second assistant to replace Rayan Mahmoud who will not be able to take up the role for personal reasons until December.
Hamza had previously worked with Manama as an assistant to former American basketball player and coach Sam Vincent.