Qatar's under-16 basketball team is gearing up for a crucial test in the 22nd edition of the Arab Championship for Juniors, currently underway in Cairo, Egypt.
The squad will take on Algeria at 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Hall No. 3 at the Cairo International Stadium complex. This match marks the fourth round of the preliminary stage in the tournament, which runs through August 17.
The Qatari team is eager to secure its first victory after a string of setbacks in the initial three rounds.
They opened with a 58-90 loss to Bahrain, followed by a narrow 59-61 defeat to Kuwait in a closely contested game. Their third outing ended in a 58-79 loss to host Egypt, though the team showed improvement in segments, particularly winning the third quarter 14-13.
In contrast, Algeria has maintained strong performances, accumulating five points from three matches. They started with an exciting 76-74 upset over host Egypt, suffered an 80-54 setback against Bahrain, and bounced back with a valuable 67-61 win over Tunisia in the third round. These results have bolstered Algeria's prospects for one of the two spots in the final.
The championship features six teams: Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. Matches are played in a single-round robin format, with the top two point earners advancing to the final.
This clash against Algeria presents Qatar with a key opportunity to climb the standings and gain valuable experience against a technically skilled opponent that has impressed since the tournament's start.
Qatar's coaching staff hopes to capitalize on Wednesday's rest day to address previous errors, enhance defensive focus, and boost offensive efficiency, especially in critical moments.
The players are determined to deliver a spirited performance that reflects their fighting spirit and desire to regain momentum.
The Qatari delegation in Cairo is led by Abdullah Sultan Al Jaber, a board member of the Qatar Basketball Federation, assisted by Khalid Al Mughni, director of youth national teams.
Qatar will wrap up its preliminary round on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM against Tunisia, after which the finalists will be determined.
