The Lebanese team Beirut's victory in the 35th Arab Clubs Basketball Championship was not the only achievement the team accomplished in Doha. They also won the International Qatar Tournament, which served as excellent preparation for the Arab championship. Notably, the new champion did not taste defeat in any of the matches they played and was truly a contender from the very beginning. They were not affected by the challenges encountered, especially in the quarter-finals against Algerian Union and in the semi-finals against Kuwait, the previous champion.
Major General Ismail Al-Qarqawi, President of the Arab and Emirati Basketball Federations, was keen during the team's crowning to congratulate Nadim Hakim, Vice President of the Arab Federation and President of the Club, as well as the players and the administrative and technical staff on this great achievement. Al-Qarqawi stated that the closing scene was wonderful, both in terms of the technical level presented by Beirut and Sale, and the audience attendance, as well as the success of the refereeing team in managing a strong and exciting final, reflecting the status of this championship and its notable progress from year to year, making it of interest to officials at the International Federation.
He added that this distinguished level also applies to most of the participating teams, particularly those involved in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. Al-Qarqawi praised the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Arab Federation, led by Brigadier General Abdullah Shalabi, in smoothing the difficulties that preceded the tournament, such as team visas and television broadcasting, in cooperation with the Qatari Federation and the hosting club.
In concluding his statements, Al-Qarqawi said that his federation would strive to invest in the successes achieved in Doha and always seek to provide better outcomes that serve Arab basketball. For his part, Brigadier General Abdullah Shalabi praised the success of the new edition and the levels presented by the teams, noting that it was difficult to predict the results and the identity of the teams advancing to the final stages. Shalabi revealed the decision made by the Arab Federation to classify the teams that qualified for the quarter-finals within the first level for the upcoming championship, which includes: Beirut, Sale, Kuwait, Al Ahly (Egypt), Alexandrian Union, Algerian Union, Duhok (Iraq), and Al Muharraq (Bahrain). Eight teams from other Arab countries will join them, and a draw will be held among these new teams for group distribution. He added that this tournament has taken a different turn after being included on the International Federation's agenda.
