BAHRAIN is set to host the Fiba Asia Champions Cup 2019 GBA Qualifiers later this month.
Eight of the best clubs from across the Gulf will be taking part in the competition, which will determine which countries will acquire the three allocated spots for the GBA sub-zone in Round One of the Road to the Final Eight-West Asia.
National league finalists from 2018, Manama and Al Ahli, are set to represent the Kingdom of Bahrain in the event, scheduled for April 20 to 27.
Also taking part are Sharjah and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai from the UAE, Al Shamal and Al Araby from Qatar, Ohod from Saudi Arabia and Al Seeb from Oman.
The 8 participating teams are divided into two groups of four and will play in a round-robin format. The top two teams of each group will advance to the Semifinals. From there, the respective four teams will play in a single elimination bracket with a classification game for third place to determine the top three teams.
Group ‘A’ is set to feature Sharjah, Araby, Ohod and Bahrain’s Ahli; while Group ‘B’ sees Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Shamal, Seeb and Bahrain’s Manama.
If Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE), Ohod (KSA), and Al Ahli (Bahrain) finish in first, second and third at the GBA Qualifiers, the three allocated spots to Round One of the Fiba Asia Champions Cup 2019 would go to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. However, those three teams would not necessarily have to be Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Ohod, nor Bahrain’s Ahli.
Instead, those qualifying spots for Round One of the Road To Final 8-West Asia will be filled by the 2018/2019 season’s league champions of those respective countries.
Last year’s edition of the tournament was hosted in Muscat with the eight participating clubs including Bahrain’s Muharraq and Manama, Arabi, Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Sharjah, Al Rayyan (Qatar), and Nizwa Club (Oman).
Sharjah won the tournament after beating Manama in the final.
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