Wednesday 19 / November / 2025
MUSCAT: The Oman Basketball Association has announced that the Sultanate of Oman is set to host two major 3x3 basketball championships this November: the Arab Youth (Men & Women) Championship from 25–26 November, and the GCC Men’s and Women’s Championship from 28–29 of the same month.
These consecutive events reaffirm the high level of trust Oman enjoys from Gulf, Arab, and continental federations, and strengthen its position as a leading sports destination capable of organising rapidly growing modern sports at both regional and international levels.
Four countries will participate in the Arab Youth Championship: Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Lebanon, with a total of five teams competing in a single round-robin format, providing all teams with equal opportunities before the final standings are decided. Oman will enter the event with two squads in both the men’s and women’s youth categories, in a step aimed at enriching the experience of Omani players.
Meanwhile, the GCC Championship will feature five nations: Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia—with six teams competing across two groups. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, while the third-placed teams will play for the fifth and sixth positions.
During the press conference, Eng. Khalfan Al Naabi, President of the OBA, welcomed partners, supporters, and media representatives, stressing that their presence reflects great interest in developing the sport and showcasing the efforts of the association and national staff. He explained that hosting both tournaments for the second consecutive year is a significant gain for Oman, demonstrating the success of previous editions in terms of organisation, facilities, streamlined procedures, and the remarkable public attendance that characterises open-court venues.
He noted that 3x3 basketball has become one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide since its inclusion in the Olympic program, making these events a valuable opportunity for Omani players to gain international exposure and enhance their technical readiness—while also serving as a platform to discover new talent.
He added that Oman has outstanding outdoor locations suitable for hosting events along waterfronts and within heritage and tourist sites, giving the country a competitive advantage in attracting future global tournaments.
Al-Naabi also revealed that the association has begun negotiations with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to host the global 3x3 Challenger featuring 16 national teams from various continents, stressing that such an event would elevate Oman’s sports presence and positively impact the tourism and economic sectors due to the high promotional value of international championships.
For his part, Saeed bin Abdullah Al-Habsi, Acting Secretary-General of the Oman Basketball Association, affirmed that Oman’s hosting of the two championships reflects the success of previous editions and the significant progress achieved in local organization. He noted that the GCC Championship will feature five national teams represented by 12 squads for men and women, while the Arab Championship brings together four Arab nations with five youth teams and four women’s youth teams. He added that the association has recently strengthened the 3x3 basketball system through expanded local tournaments, internal and external camps in the UAE and Bahrain, and specialized training programs aimed at developing players’ skills.
At the end of the press conference, both Al Habsi and Al Naabi expressed their appreciation for the strong support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, as well as the partners and sponsors who play a critical role in the success of these events. The sponsors include Daleel Petroleum, Ahli Bank, Nama Group, Dhofar Insurance, Al Mouj Muscat, Oman Sail, Al Seeb Club, Park Inn Hotel, Jindal In, and Aster Hospital, the medical sponsor of both tournaments.
Following the press conference, the official logos of both the Arab and GCC championships were unveiled. Designed by young Omani talents, the logos feature simplicity and a visual identity aligned with the sport and the event. The Arab Championship logo showcases a basketball in the colors of the Omani flag passing through a hoop, while the GCC logo carries a unified identity reflecting the speed and excitement of 3x3 basketball for both men and women, in a design that embodies the spirit and dynamism of the tournament.
