Qatar captain Yaseen Moosa and India skipper Geethu Anna Jose show off their trophies as they pose with Qatar Basketball Federation president Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, C V Rappai of LG and other officials after the conclusion of the Asian 3x3 Basketball Championships yesterday.

By Anil John/Doha


Qatar made history by becoming the inaugural winners of the FIBA Asia 3x3 Basketball championships, which concluded after two days of hectic action at the Villaggio Mall last night.
In a thrilling final, the Qatar Maroon team edged plucky Saudi Arabia 19-17 to claim the tournament launched by basketball’s Asian governing body in a bid to widen the appeal of the sport by making it accessible to all because of its short and easy-to-play format.
Earlier, India won the women’s title with ease, beating surprise finalists Mongolia 21-14 with nine seconds remaining in the match.
In 3x3 basketball matches are played on a court just half the size of a regular arena with just one hoop. In the event of a team scoring 21 points before the scheduled 10 minutes of play, they are declared the winners automatically without having to complete the time remaining in the match, as was the case during India’s final against Mongolia.
Qatar Maroon, who eliminated their compatriots Qatar Grey in the quarter-finals and Iran in the last four, were taken the distance by the quick-footed Saudis who played with a great deal of grit despite being considerably disadvantaged by their short stature.
Qatar, represented by Yaseen Ismail Moosa, Khalid Suleiman, Boney Watson and Malik Salim Abdulla (one player is allowed as substitute), kept their nose ahead for most of the match, but the Saudis always stayed within touching distance,
However, matters got tricky with one minute remaining when Saudi Arabia, represented by Marzouk al-Muwallad, Ayman al-Muwallad, Mohamed al-Sager and Nasser Abo Jalas, drew level at 16-16.
The Saudis, who had upset Jordan in the semi-finals, looked like pulling off another shocker, but Watson reeled off three baskets in succession to put Qatar 19-16 ahead.
With just under 28 seconds remaining, the Saudis reduced the deficit to two points, but the hosts hung on bravely to close out the match much to the delight of their supporters.
“It was a great two days for the Qatar team and we are happy to become the first winners of the Asian 3x3 championship,” Qatar Maroon’s Moosa told reporters.
“We have a great team and our victory tonight proves basketball in Qatar is in great shape. I would also like to thank our supporters who turned out in large numbers to cheer us.”
Earlier, the Indian women’s team comprising Geethu Anna Jose, Anitha Pauldurai, Manisha Dange and Pratima Singh proved far too strong for the Mongolians (Altanzaya Buriad, Ganzul Davaasuren, Ishtaya Kambal and Solongo Bayasgalan).
Led by Jose, who is also her country’s regular national team captain, India peppered the basket from all parts of the court to stay comfortably ahead.
Except for a few seconds when Mongolia drew within one point (12-11) with three minutes remaining, the Indians never really faced any challenge, pulling away in the final two and a half minutes to win 21-14, nine seconds before time.
Skipper Jose, the only Indian to play as a professional in Australia from 2006 to 2008, was delighted with her team’s success.
“It was a great tournament for us because we won the inaugural edition,” said the Kerala-born player.
“We were expecting Turkmenistan in the final, but they were beaten by Mongolia in the semi-finals which was a surprise to us.
“But we are all really happy. The team really gelled well.”
Meanwhile, Iran beat Jordan 19-8 to finish third among men, while Turkmenistan women defeated Hong Kong 10-8 to win third place.
Boney Watson of Qatar Maroon along with Fadel El Zubi of Jordan and Moosa Nabipour of Iran were picked as the Dream All Stars in the men’s competition. Geethu Anna Jose led the polling in the women’s section with Lea Abi Ghosn of Lebanon and Nigyara Nagiyeva of Turkmenistan completing the women’s Dream Team.
FIBA Asia President Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani along with Qatar Basketball Federation president Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and CV Rappai of LG, the main sponsors,were among those who attended the finals.
Results (Men)
Quarter-finals: Qatar Maroon beat Qatar Grey 21-9, Iran beat Chinese Taipei 21-15, Jordan beat Philippines 15-10, Sauri Arabia beat India 16-5
Semi-finals: Qatar Maroon beat Iran 19-16, Saudi Arabia beat Jordan 13-12.
Final: Qatar Maroon beat Saudi Arabia
Results (Women)
Quarter-finals: India beat Qatar 21-5, Mongolia beat Sri Lanka 18-13, Hong Kong beat Lebanon 17-9, Turkmenistan beat Nepal 18-6
Semi-finals: India beat Hong Kong 21-8, Mongolia beat Turkmenistan 19-17.
Final: India beat Mongolia 21-14


Boney Watson, who was picked in the Asian Dream Team, gets a trophy from Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani as basketball official Saadoun al-Kuwari looks on. At right, a piece of action from the Qatar-Saudi Arabia final.