Qatar and South Korea federations strengthen partnership in Seoul aimed at sharing expertise, promoting women's basketball
Doha
In a significant step toward enhancing basketball in Asia, the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) held a pivotal coordination meeting with the Korean Basketball Association (KBA) in Seoul. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Qatari national team's training camp in the South Korean capital, focused on fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and advancing women's basketball.
The high-level delegation from Qatar was led by QBF President Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb and Secretary-General Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari. Representing South Korea were KBA President Kwon Hyuk-woon, Vice President Jung Jae-young, Executive Director Lee Kyung-ho, and Vice President Park Han, who oversees women's basketball development.
The discussions centered on preparations for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for August 5-17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with 16 participating teams. Qatar is placed in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon, while Group B includes Guam, Japan, Syria, and Iran; Group C comprises China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia; and Group D features Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines.
Key topics included technical and administrative cooperation, such as organizing joint training camps, developing youth programs, and supporting women's basketball initiatives. Both federations agreed to launch workshops and training courses for coaches and referees, alongside efforts to enhance tournament management and promote women's basketball.
QBF President Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb emphasized the meeting's importance: 'This collaboration aligns with our strategy to engage with leading international federations. South Korea's basketball achievements inspire us, and we aim to build robust partnerships to elevate the sport locally and across Asia. We are also committed to preparing for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, which Qatar will host from August 27 to September 12, 2027, marking a historic first for the Middle East and North Africa.'
The 2027 World Cup, featuring 32 teams, will be the first FIBA World Cup hosted in the Arab world and the third consecutive edition in Asia, following China (2019) and the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia (2023). Qatar will also be the second Muslim-majority nation to host the event, after Turkey in 2010.
Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, QBF Secretary-General, added: 'Partnering with leading federations like the KBA is crucial for developing basketball in Qatar. Joint training programs and knowledge exchange will benefit all parties and help nurture a new generation of talented players to represent Qatar internationally.' During the training camp in Seoul, the Qatari national team will play two friendly matches against South Korea, providing both teams an opportunity to assess their readiness for the Asia Cup while strengthening technical ties.
This meeting marks a key milestone in the QBF's efforts to solidify its position in Asian basketball, promote international cooperation, and expand the sport's reach across youth and women's categories. Both federations committed to forming joint working groups to ensure sustained technical and administrative collaboration, laying the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership.
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