Qatar will play two friendly matches against South Korea during the training camp.
Doha: Qatar men’s basketball team has commenced its overseas training camp in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the third phase of its comprehensive preparation program for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17. The tournament will feature Asia’s top 16 national teams.
During the camp, Qatar will play two friendly matches against the host nation, South Korea. The first game is scheduled for July 18, at 1:00PM Doha time, while the second will take place on July 20 at 9:00AM.
The Qatar squad, coached by Turkish tactician Hakan Demir, features 16 players: Omar Mohammed Saad, Abdulrahman Saad, Ahmed Saeed Mohammed, Zainuddin Al-Badri, Al-Haji Bobo Magassa, Babacar Dieng, Mohammed Al-Sayed, Saidu Al-Haj Ndaye, Hamad Yassin, Mustafa Ndao, Ghassan Hajar, Mahmoud Darwish, Tyler James Lee, Brandon Goodwin, Alen Hadzibegovic, and Mohammed Brashir.
Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) President Mohammed bin Saad Al-Mughaiseeb emphasized the strategic importance of the camp, stating, “This training camp is a critical step in our preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup. We are focusing on every detail to ensure the team is ready both technically and organizationally. Our early preparation, high-level training camps, and confidence in our players and coaching staff, led by Hakan Demir, position us to meet the expectations of Qatari fans.”
He added, “This camp also offers a valuable opportunity to enhance collaboration with the Korean Basketball Association through joint training camps and future friendly matches, fostering mutual growth and expertise exchange.”
Qatari delegation head, Director of National Teams and Secretary-General of the QBF Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, echoed these sentiments, noting, “This camp is pivotal for our preparation. Facing a team of South Korea’s caliber provides our players with high-level exposure that will directly enhance our collective performance. We are committed to preparing the team to its fullest potential for the continental championship.”
Following the South Korea camp, the team will return to Doha for the fourth phase of preparations, which includes participating in an international friendly tournament at Lusail Multipurpose Hall from July 28 to August 1, 2025. The event will feature Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Japan.
Qatar’s preparations began in June with a training camp in Turkey from June 19 to July 3, 2025, which included intensive drills and internal scrimmages. The team then held a short domestic camp in Doha, playing two friendly matches against India on July 11 and 13.
In the 31st FIBA Asia Cup, Qatar is drawn in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon. The team will open its campaign with a highly anticipated match against Lebanon on August 6.
The tournament follows a group-stage format, with the top team from each group advancing directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams compete in crossover play-offs to determine the remaining quarter-finalists.
