Zain basketball league set for tip-off

TDT | Manama                                                       

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The 2023/2024 Zain Bahrain Basketball League tips off this evening for another exciting campaign in the Kingdom’s leading basketball championship. Eleven clubs are once again taking part this season, with defending back-to-back champions Manama aiming for an historic “three-peat”.

But their rivals will be looking to mount a stern challenge, led by perennial contenders Muharraq and Al Ahli. Also hoping to make their presence felt on the hardwood are Al Hala, Al Ettihad, Al Najma, Sitra, Bahrain Club, Nuwairat, Isa Town and Samaheej.

Joining the fray this season are Bahrain’s men’s B national team, but their results are not to be counted on the league standings. The first evening of action tonight will feature one contest between Muharraq and Sitra, scheduled for a 7.30pm start. Tomorrow, Hala and Ettihad face off at 5.30pm, followed by Bahrain Club and Najma squaring off at 7.30pm.

On Thursday, Ahli face off with Nuwaidrat at 5.30pm, and then Manama take on Samaheej at 7.30pm. Action in the 2023/2024 Zain Bahrain Basketball League is scheduled to continue until May of next year.

Manama captured the 2022/2023 league title to cap a remarkable season that saw them win three major trophies, with the two others being the Khalifa bin Salman Cup and the first-ever FIBA West Asia Super League.

Last week, Manama kick started the 2023/2024 campaign by winning the Late Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa Cup, also known as the Bahrain Super Cup, after defeating Muharraq in the traditional annual season-opening game.