BASKETBALL – One of Bahrain’s most celebrated and beloved basketball stars Mohammed Qurban announced yesterday his retirement from competitive basketball.
Qurban leaves the game after nearly three decades of taking to the hardwood.
The versatile power forward, more popularly known by his nickname ‘Bruno’, was a key member of the kingdom’s basketball national teams from youth to senior levels. He played for the kingdom’s top clubs including Al Ahli and Manama while winning 11 league titles, 11 Bahrain Super Cups, and seven domestic cups, according to leading Bahrain-based social media platform TBBA.
Qurban was also selected as team captain in carrying out his duties for country and club.
“I think it’s time to say that my journey on the basketball court has come to an end,” Qurban said in a video posted on his official social media account yesterday announcing his retirement.
“The decision wasn’t easy. Basketball has been such a big part of my life for 27 years. But I don’t want to leave feeling sad; I want to leave feeling proud and grateful for every moment I’ve lived through basketball.
“When I look back on all these years, I don’t just remember the games or the results – I remember my teammates, my coaches, and the fans.
“And of course, I can’t talk about this journey without mentioning the clubs and the national team that I had the honour of representing.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me, cheered for me, applauded me, criticised me, and even got upset with me.
“I’m not leaving sad today – I’m leaving proud of myself and proud of every moment I lived, every person I met, and everything I learned from this game.”
“All I can say is, my story has come to an end.”
Qurban also expressed words of encouragement to the kingdom’s young basketball stars who will be taking Bahrain to new heights in the future.
“To the new generation: enjoy it, don’t rush,” he said. “Give your all in every training session and every game.”
“Respect the jersey, respect the club, and make the most of the moments with your teammates, because one day, you’ll look back and ask yourselves, how did all these years pass so quickly?”
Qurban is the son of former Bahrain Basketball Association secretary general Redha Qurban.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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