Two Qatari players defend as a Kuwaiti goes for basket.

MANAMA, Aug 2: Kuwait’s basketball team faced its fifth defeat in the 26th Arab Basketball Championship, falling 69-72 to Qatar during the sixth and penultimate round of the tournament, which concluded late last night in Bahrain.

The sixth round also featured Algeria’s narrow 70-69 victory over Bahrain and the UAE’s 86-82 win against Egypt.

Kuwait’s team has struggled throughout the tournament, losing all previous matches against the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and, most recently, Qatar. The team currently sits at the bottom of the standings with 5 points ahead of its final game against Bahrain.

Led by Serbian coach Oliver Kostić and assistant Khaled Al-Qallaf, the squad is largely composed of young players competing in this level of competition for the first time, providing them with valuable experience and exposure.

Coach Kostić and Al-Qallaf selected a roster of 12 promising young talents, supplemented by experienced players Ahmed Al-Balushi, Abdulaziz Al-Humaidi, and Abdulrahman Al-Sahu. This blend aims to build their skills and prepare the team for future tournaments.

However, several key players, including Hamad Adnan, Turki Hammoud, Alexander Al-Ghaith, and Imran Jawhar, were absent from the squad during this championship.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff