HOSTING THE FIBA WORLD CUP WILL BE A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR THE ARAB WORLD: YASEEN ISMAIL

YASEEN ISMAIL, a former national team player and Qatar's ambassador for hosting the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, congratulated the people of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Committee, and the Qatar Basketball Federation for achieving this milestone, which marks the first time an Arab country will host the FIBA World Cup. He expressed pride in this accomplishment, particularly as it provides the new generation with the opportunity to participate in the World Cup, which has been difficult to achieve in previous years due to tough competition.

Ismail expressed his hope that a significant number of Arab teams will take part in the championship in Qatar, noting that the increased number of available spots in recent years has allowed for greater representation from Arab, African, and Asian teams. This opens up opportunities for Arab countries to participate in the tournament and advance from the group stage. He encouraged Arab teams to utilize the next four years to prepare for the event, predicting potential surprises similar to those showcased by the Moroccan and Saudi national teams in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

In an interview with beINSPORTS, Ismail conveyed his joy and pride in being part of the Qatari delegation in the Philippines, commending the tremendous efforts of the Olympic Committee and Qatar Basketball Federation in securing the hosting rights for the major event, which will feature some of the world's top teams. Ismail, serving as the ambassador for Qatar's bid, expressed his strong confidence in the Qatar Basketball Federation's ability to develop a strategic plan for the national team over the next four years. He believes that the team will bring honor to Qatari and Arab basketball, providing the new generation with a historic opportunity to compete against the world's most prominent teams.