MANAMA, Nov 21: In the West Asian Super League for the Gulf Basketball Region, Kazma faced a setback, losing to Manama of Bahrain with a final score of 76-84  in Bahrain. This marked the commencement of the second group competitions in the league.

Kazma earned the losing point, while the defending champion, Manama, secured a strong start with two winning points in the group stage. The top two teams from each of the two groups in the Gulf region will advance to the semi-finals, utilizing a "play-off" system consisting of three matches. The victorious teams from these matches will proceed to the final round, following the same format.

Furthermore, the champions and runners-up from both the Gulf and West Asia regions will qualify for the finals scheduled for May. The finals will adopt a pool system, featuring the addition of champions from India, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The ultimate champion will represent the Asian continent in the second edition of the World Club Championship.

Meanwhile, in the basketball league, Sulaibikhat continued to display strong performances by defeating Al-Nasr 76-63 in the fifth round. In the same round, Kuwait secured a dominant victory over Yarmouk with a commanding score of 119-69. Sulaibikhat now stands in second place with 9 points, Al-Nasr with 6 points, Kuwait with 6 points, and Yarmouk with 5 points.

The league competitions follow a two-part combination system, with the top four teams earning qualification for the semi-finals. Sulaibikhat, led by national coach Fahd Barjas, showcased determination in their bid for a semi-final spot, securing their fourth victory in the tournament against one defeat. In the second match, Kuwait demonstrated brilliance, effortlessly claiming their third consecutive victory with an impressive 50-point lead, triumphing over Yarmouk with a final score of 119-69.