KUWAIT CITY, May 21: Due to a scheduling conflict with the final of His Highness the Amir’s Football Cup, which took place yesterday, the Basketball Association rescheduled the final match of the Basketball Cup for the 2023-2024 seasons. Originally set for yesterday, the final will now be held at 7:00 pm today at Al-Ittihad Hall between Al-Qadisiya and Kazma. Before the final, there will be a match to determine the third and fourth places between Kuwait and Al-Qurain.

In a statement, the Federation explained that the postponement was made to serve the public interest and to ensure that the final match of the 2023-2024 seasons is presented in the best possible manner.

Al-Qadisiya, also known as "Yellow," advanced to the final by defeating Al-Qurain in the semi-finals with a score of 89-82. The game was highly competitive, with a strong performance from Al-Qurain. In the other semi-final, "Orange" Kazma managed to end "Al-Kuwait's" seven-year title streak and avenge earlier defeats, having lost to "Al-Ameed" four times this season across all competitions.

Historically, seven clubs have won the Basketball Association Cup: Al-Qadisiya with 25 titles, Kuwait with 16, Al-Arabi with nine, Kazma with three, Al-Jahra with two, and Al-Sahel with one.

Today's match is anticipated to be a thrilling contest between two equally matched teams. Kazma, led by Slovenian coach Bojan Lazic, features players such as Ahmed Al Balushi, Abdulaziz Al Hamidi, Youssef Bourahma, and Abdullah Ibrahim, along with American professionals Travis Leslie and Clint Chapman. Al-Qadisiyah, under American coach Anthony Stebbing, will rely on Muhammad Ashkanani, Rashid Al-Rabah, Muhammad Al-Dakhil, and Abdul Mohsen Al-Moussawi, alongside their professional trio of Robert Lowry, Ilono, and Martic.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff