Sports Reporter Doha


Al Sadd and Al Rayyan are expected to be locked in a tough battle for supremacy when the Qatar Basketball League starts at the Al Rayyan Indoor Hall today. Al Gharafa take on Al Wakrah and Al Arabi meet Al Shamal in the first two matches..
Although their bitter rivalry in football is well known – their matches played to strong crowds much to the envy of other clubs – it’s only recently that Al Rayyan and Al Sadd have captured the imagination of the basketball-loving public.
The credit for much of it goes to the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) under the leadership of its president HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani who has launched several initiatives to make the sport, to use his own words, “as popular as football.”
The result is there for all to see. Basketball has been given an impetus the kind of which was not seen in Qatar before. Much more resources have been pumped in to ensure that the teams get the best of facilities, coaches and players to boost their ranks.
As a result several American and eastern European players have been strutting their stuff in Qatar, thus embellishing the Qatar basketball scene.
Al Sadd, the defending champions, are being coached by Serbian Dejan Tomic, who was in charge of the Saudi national team for several years. He will be banking on American Michael Southall  and Abdullai Jalloh to make an impact this year too.
Rayyan, the 15-time champions, are being guided by Brian Rowsom who played for the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. Considered a shrewd tactician, the genial giant will be hoping to wrest back the title from Al Sadd.
Teams this year have been allowed to recruit four foreign players of whatever nationality. Earlier, it was mandatory for teams to have two Africans and two professionals among the four foreigners.
The teams:  Al Rayyan, Al Sadd, Al Khor, El Jaish, Al Arabi, Al Gharafa, Al Wakrah, Al Shamal, Qatar Sports Club, Al Ahli.