30/07/2026
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30/07/2026
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DOHA, July 30: Kuwait's national youth basketball team endured a disappointing Gulf Basketball Championship campaign, finishing fifth and last after losing all four matches, including a 75-46 defeat to Saudi Arabia in its final outing.
The tournament, held in Doha, Qatar, served as the qualifying event for the FIBA Asia U20 Championship. Qatar and Bahrain secured the two available qualification spots for the continental finals, which will be staged in India next month.
Led by Serbian coach Darko, with Yahya Al-Bahar as assistant coach, Kuwait failed to register a victory, suffering successive defeats to Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
The campaign has sparked concern over the team's current level, particularly given Kuwait's history of competing for top honours in Gulf youth basketball. The results have prompted calls for a thorough review of the national youth program to determine the reasons behind the decline.
Kuwait's opening match against Oman offered the only real encouragement. The team surrendered a 15-point lead before falling 62-59 in a game that had appeared well within its grasp. The remaining defeats were far more decisive, with Kuwait losing to Bahrain by 55 points, Qatar by 28 points and Saudi Arabia by 29 points.
The winless campaign has reinforced the need for a comprehensive technical and administrative evaluation by the Kuwait Basketball Association. Officials are expected to examine every aspect of the program, including player development, team selection, preparation, coaching strategy, and the strength of domestic youth competitions.
With the youth team serving as the main pathway to the senior national side, rebuilding the program has become an urgent priority. A long-term development plan focused on strengthening the grassroots system and improving player preparation will be essential if Kuwait is to regain its competitiveness in future Gulf and Asian tournaments.
By Khaled Al-Enezi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
