Doha: HE President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani, has praised the organization and execution of the qualifiers draw ceremony for the Qatar 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. He affirmed that the tournament will be different and an exceptional experience for basketball fans worldwide.
According to Qatar News Agency, His Excellency described the draw ceremony as outstanding in every aspect, highlighting Qatar's ability to integrate modern technology and deliver an inspiring experience for basketball enthusiasts globally. HE the FIBA President also noted the presence of HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the draw ceremony. His support reflects the significant attention Qatar is dedicating to this major international event, and it provides a strong boost to the organizing committee's professional efforts.
HE the FIBA President expressed his pride as a Qatari, emphasizing that hosting this prestigious sports event sets a precedent for other Gulf and Arab nations to aspire to organize such tournaments in the future. He believes that several Arab countries are also capable of hosting this event. Regarding Qatar's group in the World Cup qualifiers, HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani acknowledged the competition's difficulty but emphasized that it serves as an additional incentive. He stressed the importance of preparing Qatar's national team to meet expectations, ensuring they deliver an honorable performance and achieve positive results in the tournament.
His Excellency also noted that Qatar's direct qualification for the 2027 Basketball World Cup as the host nation opens the door for Saudi Arabia's potential qualification, expressing hope that two Gulf teams will compete in the finals of this historic event, which will be hosted in the Gulf and the Middle East for the first time.
In closing, HE the President of the International Basketball Federation emphasized that the qualifiers draw across different continents was balanced, as it was based on global team rankings as a foundation for distribution, ensuring fair and strong competition in all groups.
HE Olympic Council of Asia Vice President for West Asia and Qatar Olympic Committee Second Vice President Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari affirmed that Doha's hosting of the Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers Draw Ceremony underscores Qatar's commitment to investing in sports and strengthening its position as a global sports hub. He also emphasized the trust Qatar enjoys from international sports organizations, particularly the International Basketball Federation.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, HE Al Kuwari highlighted the festive atmosphere and the presence of renowned sports figures, including NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, Olympic champion Mo Farah, and Qatari Olympic star Mutaz Barshim. He noted that the road to the Qatar 2027 Basketball World Cup will be filled with excitement and high-level competition. He stressed that this edition of the tournament will be unique in both organization and competitiveness.
His Excellency explained that hosting the World Cup in a single city, Doha, for the first time in tournament history represents a major milestone. Qatar's modern infrastructure, integrated transportation network, and vast experience in hosting major sporting events will allow fans to enjoy an unparalleled experience, enabling them to attend multiple matches in a single day.
With the successful qualifiers draw featuring the participation of 80 national teams from various continents, Qatar is paving the way for the world's best basketball players to compete in the summer of 2027. HE Al Kuwari assured that the Qatar Olympic Committee, in collaboration with the Qatar Basketball Federation and the tournament's organizing committee, is fully committed to ensuring the event's success, not only at the technical level but also as a cultural and human experience that Qatar will offer to the world.
NBA Hall of Famer and FIBA Global Ambassador Carmelo Anthony expressed admiration for Qatar's traditional attire, which he proudly wore at the draw ceremony. He praised the strong cultural identity characterizing the event, stating that Qatar consistently excels in organizing sports tournaments. Anthony described the draw ceremony as exceptional in every sense, predicting highly competitive qualifiers and an outstanding World Cup finals in 2027.
Former Qatari national basketball star Yaseen Ismail also voiced pride in participating in the event, stating that the ceremony reflected Qatar's organizational capabilities. He described the event as remarkable in every aspect, filled with innovation and precision, proving that Qatar remains committed to delivering the best global sporting events.
Ismail emphasized that attention to detail and the fusion of modernity with advanced technology made the draw an impressive spectacle, winning the admiration of attendees and spectators alike. He expressed confidence that Qatar will amaze the world with an outstanding edition of the Basketball World Cup.
Additionally, Qatari Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim shared his excitement about participating in the draw ceremony, noting that the event is tied to a global sports competition hosted on Qatari soil. Barshim described the ceremony as breathtaking in every detail, from the production quality to the technology used, reflecting Qatar's high standards in organizing global sporting events. He highlighted Qatar's vision of sports as a tool for bringing people together and a gateway to a brighter future, predicting that Qatar will impress the world in every aspect during the 2027 Basketball World Cup.