Bahrain clinch Gulf Basketball title

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain became the Gulf Basketball Champions for the first time in history, after beating Qatar 73-68 to secure the tit.

The atmosphere at the Khalifa Sports City Arena was electric and a cauldron of noise, with Bahraini fans creating an intimidating environment for the Qatari players. The jam-packed stadium roared from start to finish, with fans taunting Qatar at every opportunity—particularly during free throws—to help Bahrain gain a mental edge.

The psychological pressure added by the crowd contributed significantly to Bahrain’s advantage on the court.

Dominant Throughout

Bahrain entered the final with confidence, having defeated Qatar earlier in the tournament. From the outset, they showed their intent, maintaining control throughout the game.

Despite a strong start from Qatar, who netted the first 3 points, Bahrain quickly responded, led by Mohamed Ameer and an outstanding defensive performance by his brother, Muzamel Ameer.

Steady Momentum

By the end of the first quarter, Bahrain held a narrow lead, 19-16.

Their momentum continued into halftime, with Bahrain extending their advantage to 39-30. The third quarter saw Bahrain pull away further, widening the gap to 62- 46, leaving Qatar struggling to keep pace.

Tight Finish

Qatar mounted a late comeback in the final quarter, but Bahrain’s resilience and composure under pressure secured the hard-fought victory.

The final score of 73-68 marked a memorable success for Bahrain, breaking Qatar’s dominance in the tournament, where they had held a record six titles.

Star Performance

Mustafa Hussein was the standout player, earning MVP honors for his top performance.

His leadership on both ends of the floor helped lift his nation to glory. Bahrain has now written itself into Gulf basketball history, cementing its place among the region’s basketball elites by overcoming Qatar in a dramatic and emotional finale.