DOHA: A team of International Olympic Committee (IOC) members will attend the FIBA Asia 3x3 basketball tournament in Doha next month to see if the format is worthy to be included in the Olympic Games programme, a Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) official said yesterday.
FIBA, the body responsible for international basketball competitions, have submitted a bid to the IOC to have the 3x3 format included in the basketball programme at the 2020 Olympic Games, and Saadoun Al Kuwari, Executive Director of QBF said the Doha tournament will be a testing event.
Al Kuwari said during a press conference: “There will be IOC members as well as Asian Basketball Federation officials attending the competition in the hope of adding the 3x3 format to the Olympic Games in the future.”
He added: “This competition (men’s and women’s) as well as the boy’s and girl’s tournament will act as a demonstration event. So by August, the IOC wants to see some evidence of the format.”
Just recently this month, FIBA announced that Russian capital Moscow will host the second edition of World Championships of the 3x3 format next year. Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said after the announcement, “We support FIBA’s efforts to make 3x3 an Olympic discipline.”
Doha will host the inaugural tournament on May 15 and 16 at Villaggio Mall for both the men’s and women’s categories in which 68 matches will be played. Matches will last 10 minutes each and will be played in the afternoon on both days.
Speaking of the importance of hosting the tournament, Al Kuwari said: “For us it’s very important to host this 3x3 competition which will be the first to be held in Qatar.”
He added: “A lot of work will be put throughout to make sure it’s successful.”
Al Kuwari confirmed that three matches will be played simutaneously on the ice rink and there will be special seating arrangements and free entry for the spectators.
Sixteen teams, which will include two home teams - Qatar Maroon and Qatar Grey, in the men’s category, have been divided into four groups, with the top two advancing to the knock-out stages.
Likewise, Qatar will also have two teams - Qatar 1 and Qatar 2, who will be among the fourteen-teams in the women’s category. The teams have been divided into three groups, with the top two advancing.
Also yesterday, Grand Heritage and Torch Hotel have been confirmed as the official hotels for athletes and VIP’s for the tournament.
Sherif Sabri, Manager of the Torch Hotel and Aous Achache, Director of Sales at Grand Heritage both signed the respective deals with the QBF.
The Grand Heritage will host all the participating teams, while the Torch Hotel will welcome VIP’s including the IOC and Asian Basketball Federation officials.
Both hotels are situated closeby to Villaggio Mall.
It was also announced that Al Kass will present coverage of each match during the two-day event.
Al Kass’ Head of Production, Abdulla Maraafi, signed the deal in which the Qatari channel will broadcast live coverage as well as a highlights programme.
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