MUSCAT: The Egyptian national team claimed the title of the Arab Under-18 3x3 Basketball Championship for boys after defeating Algeria 21-7 in the final clash on Monday at Al Mouj Muscat. The Egyptian girls' team also managed to win first place after outclassing Iraq 17-7 in the concluding match. The tournament was hosted by the Oman Basketball Association on Sunday and Monday in cooperation with the GCC Basketball Coordinating Committee and the Arab Basketball Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, The Al Mouj Muscat, and Oman Sail.
The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Salim Al Said and was attended by Eng. Khalfan bin Saleh Al Naabi, Chairman of the OBA, Abdul Rahman Masoud, Vice President of the Arab Basketball Federation.
Tight Finals
In the boys' final, Egypt defeated Algeria 21-7. Egypt started strong, scoring the first five points. Algeria responded with a point to make it 5-1, but Egypt did not give up and added five more points. Despite repeated attempts from both sides, Algeria managed to add only one more point, making the score 10-2. Both teams continued their attempts, and despite each team scoring a number of points, Egypt won the match 21-7.
In the girls' final between Egypt and Iraq, Egypt players started the match strongly, scoring four points. Iraq tried to get back into the match, but Egypt's defense kept them out. Egypt then scored three more points to make the score 7-0. Iraq managed to close the gap by scoring two points, but Egypt doubled the score by scoring six points to make it 13-2. The excitement continued between the two teams as Egypt added four more points, while Iraq added five points, to end the match 17-7.
Girls' Third Place
Kuwait Girls' team claimed the third place after defeating Algeria in the third and fourth playoff while in the boys' third-place match, Saudi Arabia defeated Kuwait 15-11 to claim the bronze medals.
Awards
Post the conclusion of the final match, His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Salim Al Said handed over the trophies and medals to the winning Arab teams. The Egyptian boys' team was crowned champion, Algeria came second and Saudi Arabia third while the Egyptian girls' team was crowned champion and Egypt second and Kuwait third.
Closing Ceremony
His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Salim Al Said, the chief guest of the closing ceremony, expressed his great admiration for the high level of the final matches for the boys' and girls' categories. His Highness praised the organization of the GCC and Arab Championships for Boys and Girls Under-18 3x3 Basketball, describing it as part of the efforts of the Oman Basketball Association, with the support and guidance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, led by His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Eng. KhalfanAl Naabi expressed his happiness with the success of the tournament, pointing out that it went according to the planned schedule. He stressed that the matches witnessed a high technical level from all the participating Arab teams in the boys' and girls' categories, which reflects the development of the 3x3 basketball game in the Arab region.
He added that the successful organization of the tournament included choosing the right venue and providing all the necessary requirements, including courts, equipment, and logistical aspects such as changing rooms and other facilities. He thanked the authorities responsible for providing the venue and facilities, such as The Wave Muscat and Oman Sail, as well as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for the financial support provided.
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