BASKETBALL – RENOWNED Greek tactician Georgios Vovoras was announced yesterday as the new head coach of Bahrain’s senior men’s basketball national team.
The Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) confirmed Vovoras’s appointment. He is set to begin his tenure upon his arrival in the kingdom.
No details of his contract with the BBA were disclosed.
Vovoras has a proven track record in international basketball, having coached at a number of top clubs across Europe including in Greece, Russia, Cyprus, Hungary, and most recently Lithuania.
His last head coaching position before signing with Bahrain was with Lithuanian outfit Neptunas Klaipeda.
The 48-year-old was also a member of the technical staff of teams that participated in elite tournaments such as the Euroleague and Eurocup, in addition to the NBA Summer League in the US with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017 and the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.
“The appointment of Coach Vovoras is a strategic move for the BBA,” BBA president Alaa Mudara told the GDN yesterday.
“He is a well-respected coach, and it marks a decisive step towards elevating our national programme.
“At 48 years old, he brings over 25 years of experience across Europe’s top leagues. He has served as both assistant and head coach at powerhouse club Panathinaikos, where he helped them secure multiple Greek league and cup titles, and led Neptunas Klaipeda to historic success, including a first-ever Lithuanian Cup final.
“He is known for his ability to rebuild and energise teams mid-season, and is adept at handling transitions, maximising limited resources, and nurturing player growth.
“Coach Vovoras understands modern basketball trends like pace-and-space, robust zone defenses, and roster optimisation, and his humility and focus on teamwork resonate well with Bahraini sports values and signals a coach ready to learn and adapt to our local dynamics.”
One of the first competitions Vovoras will be on the sidelines for Bahrain is the 44th William Jones Cup, set to take place in Taiwan from July 12 to 20.
The tournament is organised by the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association and it will be the national team’s second appearance in the William Jones Cup, following their debut over four decades ago in the 1978 edition.
Vovoras will have a line-up that includes the kingdom’s international mainstays such as Mustafa Hussain, Muzamil Ameer, Mohammed Ameer, Ahmed Salman, Subah Hussain, and Mohammed Juma’a, along with Ahmed Khalifa, Ali Hussain, Abdulqader Thani, and Ali Jaber.
He will also have the services of naturalised players Wayne Chism, Elijah Thomas, and Jakarr Sampson, along with young call-ups Murtadha Salman, Mohammed Ghazi, Hamad Faisal, Ali Hussain, and Mahmood Abbas.
The William Jones Cup will bring together national teams, university squads, and club sides from around the world, offering a platform for high-level competition and exposure to diverse playing styles.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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