BASKETBALL – Arab champions Bahrain will be battling to secure the gold medals in the Gulf Basketball Association (GBA) U18 Championship 2026 tonight when they take on hosts Qatar in their concluding assignment.
The Bahrainis have been undefeated so far after winning all three of their contests heading into this evening’s clash, which begins at 7pm, Bahrain time.
The nationals first defeated Saudi Arabia 62-54, which they followed up with a 106-51 thrashing of Kuwait.
They were then just as dominant against Oman in a 94-49 rout.
The Qataris, meanwhile, have also been unbeaten, and will be looking to defend homecourt as they gun for the crown.
Along with battling for the gold medals, Bahrain have also already secured their berth in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup 2026.
The Doha competition also acts as a qualifier for the continent’s premier youth men’s basketball tournament, to be played in Ahmedabad, India from August 13 to 23, with only the GBA champions and runners-up marching through.
Bahrain are so far joining defending champions Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Lebanon, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Thailand in this year’s Fiba U18 Asia Cup.
Bahrain’s squad at the Qatari capital, coached by veteran tactician Salman Ramadhan, is spearheaded by star big man Somto Patrick Onoduenyi, the Most Valuable Player at the recently held 23rd Arab Youth Men’s Basketball Championship 2026, and his frontcourt partner Hassan Abdulkadir.
The rest of the team roster features Mujtaba Mahmood Rayyan, Ali Hussain Mohammed, Mohammed Mahmood, Mohammed Adel Abdulla, Ali Khalil Redha, Hussain Fuad Sharaf, Ali Sadeq Al Haddad, Mahdi Habib Baqer, Yousef Yaqoob Meshaei, and Hussain Ahmed Abdulla.
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