BASKETBALL – Al Hala’s women’s basketball team will be flying the kingdom’s flag in the 26th Arab Women’s Clubs Championship, to be held in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The tournament is scheduled to tip off tomorrow with seven teams battling for the coveted title.
Hala are the lone Bahraini side taking part, while there are two teams from Kuwait, and one apiece from the UAE, Jordan, Algeria, and hosts Saudi.
The Kuwaiti outfits include Al Qurain and Al Fatat SC, while Sharjah SC are representing the Emirates, Fuheis SC are competing for Jordan, Association du Groupement Sportif Cosider are from Algeria, and Al Ula are playing at home representing Saudi.
Hala arrived in Medina yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s start of play.
Their delegation is headed by Husain Madan, while the team’s management includes Fatima Qambar Nadia Ghuloom.
Hala are coached by Jop Nelson Tandawadon and his assistant Mohamed Abdulla.
The team’s roster features 10 of the kingdom’s top women’s players, including Bayan Salman, Amina Saleem, Seema Hasan, Maryam Ebrahim, Jameela Ebrahim, Hissa Aljaber, Aya Kamali, Aysha Alhadi, Shirin Madwar, and Ghadeer Alarayedh, along with imports Yacine Diop from Senegal and Alexa Nicole Hart from the US.
“We’re proud to represent Bahrain in the Arab championship in Saudi Arabia,” Hala’s star point guard Salman told the GDN yesterday.
“Our goal is not only to compete at the highest level but also to win and make history for our country.
“We expect tough and exciting games that will test us and help us grow as a team.”
Hala begin their tournament campaign tomorrow against Cosider at 3pm, and then play Sharjah on Thursday at the same time.
Their next assignment is set for Friday against Al Ula at 7pm, after which a rest day for all teams will be held on Saturday.
Action resumes on Sunday when Hala face Al Fatat at 5pm.
They then take on Fuheis on Monday, also at 5pm, before having back-to-back off-days on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
Hala take to the hardwood for their final preliminary round game on Thursday next week against Al Qurain, scheduled for a 3pm tip-off. All times are Bahrain.
Based on the results from the championship’s first stage, the top two clubs on the standings will battle for the gold medals on the tournament’s final day on Friday next week, while the third and fourth-ranked sides will lock horns for the bronze medals.
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In the case of a tie between two teams, the result of the head-to-head will be the deciding factor, according to tournament rules.
The 26th Arab Women’s Clubs Basketball Championship is being organised and run by the Arab Basketball Confederation.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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