The Higher Organising Committee (HOC) of the 3×3 Arab Women Basketball Tournament has announced that Sharjah is fully prepared and ready to receive the participating clubs in the first edition of the competition, which will take place at the Women Sport Department’s headquarters in Sharjah from October 30-November 1.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the tournament’s HOC, attended by Nada Al Naqbi, Director of the Women Sports Department in Sharjah, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee at the Arab Basketball Federation, and Higher Organising Committee of the tournament, Noura Al Hamar, Director of the Sporting Teams at the Women Sports Department and Manager of the Tournament, and Maitha Bin Dhawi, the Tournament’s Deputy Manager.
The number of teams recently increased from 13 to 15 as Palestine University and the Jordanian Youth and Sports Ministry confirmed their attendance, consequently also raising the number of participating countries from six to eight.
The inaugural pan-Arab women 3×3 basketball tournament, which will be held under the theme ‘Above the Rim, We Score’ is organised by the Women Sports Department in Sharjah (WSD), in collaboration with the Arab Basketball Federation and the UAE Basketball Association, and in a strategic partnership with the Sharjah Sports Council.
The HOC, which ensured that all medical equipment and security measures are in place prior to the tournament also contacted the Sharjah Girl Guides and Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, to encourage school pupils to attend matches.
Official delegations, represented by the Secretariat General of the Arab Basketball Federation, and technical and referee committees, will arrive Sharjah on October 27. The participating teams will arrive on October 29.
Nada Al Naqbi said: “The 3×3 Arab Women Basketball Tournament enjoys the support and patronage of the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah. We expect the tournament will be a major technical and organisational success.”
Al Naqbi lauded the role of national organisations and partners of the tournament. She said: “All logistic, administrative and technical preparations are now completed to host this pioneering pan-Arab women sporting event.”
She also commended the role of sponsors, namely the Sharjah Sports Council as the main sponsor and strategic partner, and the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy as sub-sponsor, along with support sponsors, including Sharjah International Airport and Sharjah Ladies Club.
Highlighting the objectives of the tournament, Al Naqbi said: “Our primary goals include our Arab female players obtaining FIBA’s recognition as professional international players, and giving them the opportunity to gain experience from other athletes during the competition. It is also a great hope that Sharjah Ladies Club will perform to the very best of their ability and claim the title of this wonderful event.”