Manama: The Bahrain men's national basketball team is set to depart for Taipei this evening to participate in the William Jones Cup, following an official invitation from the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA). The invitation reflects Bahrain's growing prominence in the Asian basketball scene.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the William Jones Cup is one of the oldest and most prestigious basketball tournaments in Asia. Held annually since 1977, it is named after William Jones, a founding member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The competition brings together top national and club teams from across Asia and other regions.
This edition will mark Bahrain's first appearance under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Georgios Vovoras of Greece, who is overseeing preparations for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. The tournament is expected to serve as a platform to enhance team cohesion and further develop both tactical and physical performance.
The squad includes 12 players: Mustafa Hussain, Ahmed Bin Daina, Mahmood Abbas, Ali Hussain, Abdulqader Salah, Ali Jaber, Sabah Hussain, Ahmed Salman, Mohammed Ameer, Mohammed Buallay, along with professional players Wayne Chism and JaKarr Sampson.
Bahrain will open its campaign against Japan on July 12, followed by matches against Chinese Taipei B (July 13), Malaysia (July 14), Australia (July 15), the UAE (July 16), Qatar (July 17), Chinese Taipei A (July 18), and the Philippines (July 19).
Alaa Mudara, President of the Bahrain Basketball Association, said that the team's participation forms an integral part of its long term preparation for upcoming tournaments, particularly the Arab Basketball Championship, scheduled to begin in Tunisia on July 25. He expressed appreciation for the CTBA's invitation, which he said reflects the strong relations between Bahrain and its counterparts in Asia.
Mudara added that the team's participation in the tournament will provide valuable exposure to diverse styles of play and offer the coaching staff an important opportunity to evaluate the squad in a highly competitive environment. He expressed confidence that the team's performance would reflect the continued development of basketball in the Kingdom of Bahrain.