The first day of the 3×3 Arab Women Basketball Tournament has successfully concluded after highly entertaining and competitive matches. The first edition of the competition, taking place at the Women Sport Department’s headquarters in Sharjah from October 30 – 31 2016, features 16 of the best teams in the region looking to secure the title.
Under the theme of ‘Above the Rim, We Score’, teams representing the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon are taking part in the event, organised by the Women Sports Department, in collaboration with the Arab Basketball Federation and the UAE Basketball Association in a strategic partnership with the Sharjah Sports Council.
The opening ceremony was attended by Nada Al Naqbi, Director of Women Sports Department in Sharjah, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee at the Arab Basketball Federation and Head of the Higher Organizing Committee of the Tournament, Hamana Nyan Vice President of FIBA, Major General Ismail Gergawi, Chairman of both Arab and UAE Basketball Unions, Khalid Al Hinai, Vice President of the UAE Basketball Federation, Consul General of the International Federation of Basketball 3×3, Dr Ibtisam Al Suwaidi, Head of the Sport Women in the Public Authority for Youth Welfare and Sports, and the heads of unions of participating Arab countries, and a legion of local, Arab officials and media.
The winning sides today were:
Bahrain Typmis, who beat Emirati Alsharqiya by 17 points to 16
Jordanian Orthodox (2), who beat Iraqi Halbaga 10 points to 4
Algerian Olympic, who won against Lebanese LIU by 13 points to 12
Jordanian Fuhes, who won their match against Emirati Alwusta by 17 points to 6
Algerian GSP (2), whi beat Palestine University team BY 21 points to 1
Egyptian Sporting (2), who won against Jordanian Orthodox 1 by 10 points to 5
Algerian GSP (1), who beat Jordanian Fuhes (2) by 21 points to 5
And Egyptian Sporting (1), who won their game against Emirati Sharjah Women by 13-10
The 3×3 matches are played with three participants on each side and a fourth player as a reserve. The teams use one half of a traditional basketball court with both teams scoring in the same basket.
The first of its kind women’s tournament in the Middle East has generated great interest among the 3×3 competitions commission at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
Nada Al Naqbi, Director of Women Sports Department in Sharjah, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee at the Arab Basketball Federation and Head of the Higher Organizing Committee of the Tournament, described Day One as a great success: “The running of the competition was extremely smooth and is the result of extremely detailed preparation and organisation. The players and spectators have all had an excellent start to the tournament and we all look forward to the next two days, which are going to be highly competitive.”
WSD was established in 2008 under a resolution issued by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. WSD is the first of its kind initiative in Sharjah and strives to promote women’s sports on the local and regional level. The department is dedicated to building a distinguished athletic women’s community that can compete successfully in regional and international competitions. It does this through the creation and supervision of women’s sports teams and ensuring the establishment of an infrastructure that helps achieve the desired goals.