Doha [Qatar], May 7: Al Arabi hoopsters delivered a commanding performance to defeat Al Sadd 84-63 in the final of the HH the Amir Basketball Cup, securing the prestigious title in front of a large and energetic crowd at the Al Gharafa Hall on Wednesday.
Al Arabi set the tone early, dominating the first three quarters with scores of 22-16, 27-25, and an emphatic 32-9 surge in the third period. Although Al Sadd responded by taking the fourth quarter 13-3, the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Bahraini standout Mustafa Hussain, known as "Mosti," led Al Arabi with an impressive 31-point performance. On the opposing side, Dejan Janic and Steven Bernard Linard Green each contributed 17 points for Al Sadd.
The championship ceremony was held in a festive atmosphere, with His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, presenting the trophy to the winners. Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), also attended the ceremony.
For their triumph, Al Arabi received gold medals and a cash prize of QR1.5mn, while runners-up Al Sadd took home silver medals and QR900,000.
Al Arabi's path to the title included victories over Al Ahli (89-70) in the semi-finals and Qatar Club (104-73) in the quarter-finals. Al Sadd reached the final after defeating Al Rayyan 87-72 in the semi-finals, following a 107-96 win over Al Shamal in the quarterfinals.
In recognition of an exceptional season, the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) awarded Al Arabi the Sports Excellence Shield for 2025-2026. The honour was receiv-ed by Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani, President of Al Arabi Sports Club, celebrating the team's historic treble-winning the Qatar Basketball League, the Qatar Cup, and the HH the Amir Cup, along with multiple youth titles.
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan secured the inaugural Qatar Basketball Super Cup, highlighting the continued rivalry among the nation's top teams.
The HH the Amir Basketball Cup, first introduced in the 1999-2000 season, remains one of the country's most prestigious competitions. Al Rayyan now hold the record with 10 titles from 14 final appearances, followed by Al Gharafa with five titles. Prior to this edition, both Al Arabi and Al Sadd had four titles each. Last season, Al Rayyan defeated Al Arabi 77-70 to lift the trophy.
Speaking after the final, Al Mughaiseeb praised the tournament's success, noting that the match reflected the growing strength and professionalism of Qatari basketball. Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of QBF, emphasized the importance of such high-level competition in preparing players for international challenges.
Assistant Secretary General Ahmed Yousef Al Darwish described the season as a turning point for the sport, citing strong fan attendance and professional organization. Board Member Nasser Ajlan Al Kaabi added that intense competition among clubs continues to elevate the standard of play and provide valuable experience for athletes.
Board Member Mishal Abdullah Al Maliki praised the overall organization, stressing that success was the result of collective effort between the Federation, clubs, and sponsors while Board Member Abdullah Sultan Al Jaber confirmed that the next phase will focus more on youth categories: "We aim to build a new generation capable of sustaining success. Investing in talent is the right path forward."
Board Member Ms. Zahra Majid Al Zaidan highlighted the growing fan interest: "We are committed to offering a complete fan experience-not only through matches but also through accompanying events."
Entertainment was also part of the final, with interactive halftime contests for fans, including shooting challenges with prizes, adding a festive touch to the evening.
The final evening concluded with Elite Motors presenting the grand prize to fans - a 2026 Chery Tiggo 2 car - awarded through a live raffle immediately after the match, drawing wide excitement from the crowd.
Source: Qatar Tribune
