Qatar Universities Basketball Cup to kick off on October 1

Cagers from universities across the country will competing for the national championship as  the Qatar Universities Basketball Cup kicks off on October 1.
Organisers of the event, Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) and Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) yesterday unveiled the technical and administrative arrangements of the tournament which will begin at the  HBKU Student Centre’s Basketball Court.
According to the organisers, the matches will be held separately for men and women and the draw will have seven teams in each division. Two games will be played per evening, four nights per week, over a period of eight weeks. The men’s group is scheduled to compete on Sundays and Tuesdays while the women’s teams will play on Mondays and Wednesdays, at 6.30 pm and 8.00 pm.
The format for both divisions is the same - the teams will be divided into two groups playing in a round robin before the qualifying teams enter the knockout cross-over phase. The winners of the knockout will advance to a best of three semifinals. The top four teams will battle it out for the championship title.   
QBF’s Secretary General Ali Al Malki told the media that the Universities Cup marks a new era for basketball competition in the country. For the first time, QBF has teamed up with a university to host basketball.
“QBF gives great importance to the championship and we are delighted to co-host and organise the inaugural Qatar Universities Basketball Cup,” Al Malki said.
Meanwhile, QBF senior international communications and events coordinator Samuel Rico said: “The recent invigorating success of the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon and the 2019 World Cup to be hosted in China has increased the profile and interest of the sport in our zone. QBF wishes to build on this framework and improve its established participation base, to help grow institutional basketball and reach a new domestic audience.”  
Additionally, competition rules are set to adhere to internationally recognised standards.
Majid S. Al Ali, head of events and recreation at HBKU Student Life, commented on the launch of the tournament by saying: “We are looking forward to the upcoming Qatar Universities Basketball Cup. As a homegrown university, HBKU is proud to host the championship in collaboration with QBF, and are always committed to playing an important role in creating a strong sense of community across the country.”
Official partner of the QUBC, Strategic Partners Alliance (SPA), managing director Omran Al Sherawi said: “It’s exciting for SPA to work with QBF and HBKU. Our relationship will enhance the status of the tournament and tap into our fan’s passions. We are all investing not only money but in the future of our students, our athletes and our rising stars.”   
Integrated Engagement Communications (IEC), General Manager, Joe Bechara said: “We have been a partner of the QBF for a long time now and we have seen strong brand growth through Basketball.”