Muharraq advanced to the final of the basketball tournament in the first Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Sports Games and eighth Ramadan Football Championship (Nasser 8) after a hard-earned 75-70 victory over Al Najma at the Bahrain Basketball Association arena in Um Al Hassam yesterday.
Both teams showed strong performances in the tie, and the scores were close for much of the four quarters. Muharraq, however, managed to do enough to come away with the win.
They are now set to face Manama in the title game.
Under the patronage of His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the final of the volleyball tournament in the Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Sports Games will be held between Muhrraq and Bahrain’s national youth team.
The match will be held at 9pm tonight at the Bahrain Volleyball Association arena.
The Bahrain youth team qualified after beating Al Najma 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-17) while Muharraq won against Dar Kulaib 3-1 (25-20, 25-16, 18-25, 25-15).
The supreme organising committee announced that it has set up a special programme that will accompany the final match, which will include an awarding ceremony of the champions and best players in the tournament.
Committee chairman Tawfeeq Al Salehy said Shaikh Nasser’s patronage and attendance of the final match, after he attended the handball final last week., proves his keenness to support the participating teams and appreciate the audience of Nasser 8.
Al Salehy said the organising committees will spare no effort in bringing about a successful final ceremony for the volleyball tournament.
Meanwhile, Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the son of the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, attended part of the Al Nawayef and Batelco Gunners United match, which was held yesterday at Khalifa Sports City Field in Isa Town.
Shaikh Mohammed highlighted the successful new edition of the championship, which includes additional group sports this year, besides football including handball, volleyball and basketball.
He praised Shaikh Nasser for his exceptional efforts to develop and improve local sports and contribute in the making of a sports-orientated generation that will benefit in representing the kingdom in international arenas.
Shaikh Mohammed commended the organising committees of Nasser 8 for bringing out a remarkable local sports event, which has became one of the main annual tournaments in the kingdom.
Elsewhere, the second rounds of the Nasser 8 Football Academies Juniors Tournament began yesterday with six matches held at the closed playground of Khalif Sports City in Isa Town.
On the second day of the tournament, Kickoff won against Al Najma 1-0, while Discovery beat the Royal Charity Organisation team 2-0.
Arsenal won over Al Najma 2-0 and in the fourth match Real Madrid won against the Royal Charity Organisation 4-0.
Kickoff and Viva finished deadlocked at 1-1 while Discovery and Super ended with the same result.
On their part, members of the organising committee announced that preparations continue for the final match and festival that will be attended by dignitaries, parents and friends of the players, adding that many prizes will be distributed during the event.
Bahrain’s Main Satellite Channel yesterday covered the events of the championship. Bab Al Bahrain Show presenter Huthaifa Ibrahim covered the Nasser 8 semi-finals and interviewed the championship officials, players and administrators.
The championship is also covered by beIN Sports, Al Kaas and Al Dawry sports channels. Mohammed Abdo from beIN Sports and Mazen Anwar from Al Kaas and Al Dawry channels are present at the final matches of the tournament.