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Dusan Domovic Bulut (3), the world number one in the 3x3 format in action in this file photo. Bulut will be in the Novi Sad team that will be taking part in the 3x3 All Stars event at Katara Beach on December 12
DOHA: Four of the six sides at next week’s FIBA 3x3 All Stars will visit schools in Doha to promote the latest version of basketball that is taking the world by storm, a top Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) official said yesterday.
Saadoun Al Kuwari, the Tournament Director, said FC Barcelona, Brezovica, Caracas, Doha Team, Nagoya and Novi Sad will feature at the one-day event at Katara Beach and four out of this group will visit schools.
“Since Qatar is hosting the event we feel this is good opportunity to get four of the sides to visit schools in Doha,” Al Kuwari said.
“The 3x3 format is hugely popular around the globe. FIBA is trying to get this into the Olympic Games charter,” Al Kuwari said. “The 3x3 format is popular in Doha as well,” he added.
The one-day event will feature six teams - including one from the host country who will be competing for a whopping overall prize bag of $120,000 at Katara Beach.
Besides home team ‘Doha’, the event has attracted the highest ranked players in Americas, Europe and the rest of the world.
Doha Team will be represented by Khalid Suliman Abdi, Mohammed Seleem Abdulla, Yaseen Musa and Boney Watson.
Doha Team will take on Japan’s Nagoya in the first match followed by their encounter against Brezovica of Slovenia.
“We have signed a three-year contract with FIBA. This event will be here until 2015. It will be staged in the middle of December for all three seasons,” Al Kuwari said.
Al Kuwari said FC Barcelona will play an exhibition game on December 11
“We are also looking forward to the exhibition game between FC Barcelona and Doha Team. All games will be played at Katara Beach,” Al Kuwari said.
“Al Kass and Al Jazeera Sports will telecast the December 12 games live, beaming pictures for about five hours,” Al Kuwari said.
Al Kuwari said a ‘Dunk Contest’ is also planned.
The top four sides in the event will qualify for the semi-finals followed by the final at 7.00pm.
The world body - FIBA - is using the 3x3 format to attract young fans to basketball which is one of the most popular disciplines at the Olympic Games.
Similar 3x3 events were also staged at City Center and Katara earlier this year.
A day after the 3x3 event, QBF will organise two more championships - ‘3x3 Clubs Tournament for Men’ and ‘Doha Jam’.
THE PENINSULA
