Qatar Basketball Federation’s (QBF) secretary general Ali al-Malki and Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) vice-president of student affairs Ms. Maryam al-Mannai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday to enable both parties to collaborate more closely on student basketball development. 
The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior officials from QBF and HBKU at the HBKU Student Center in Education City. 
The MoU is the first of its kind collaboration between the two parties. It forms an agreement that will extend over the years to come and will provide a pathway for the development of basketball participation and competitions for university students in Qatar, through mutual efforts. 
The agreement also marks the announcement of Qatar Universities Basketball Cup (QUBC), starting October 1. 
The tournament will be co-organised by Qatar Basketball Federation and HBKU, a member of Qatar Foundation. 
The milestone agreement will see the federation and the university supporting greater involvement from university students, where QBF and HBKU will share resources to promote and facilitate the sport by coaching, hosting and officiating basketball activities. 
Speaking about the partnership Al Malki said, “This agreement is an integral part of QBF’s new strategic plan and demonstrates both parties’ commitment to further develop and enhance our sport.” 
He added, “our co-operation is an important step forward because we now have a structured plan with HBKU and Ms. al-Mannai has been great in her approach to further promote our interaction and achieve our common goals through joint competitions, workshops, and activities.” 
In addition to sharing basketball management responsibilities and technical expertise, the QBF will work closely with HBKU on planning, promoting, organising and hosting competitions.
The co-operation also includes professional basketball training, technical workshops, work experience and the dissemination of these activities through media publications, workshops and conferences.
“The agreement is open to all levels of entry and ensures that a player, coach, official or referee from university teams can proceed and develop skills that can lead to elite level participation.” Al-Malki said. 
“QBF’s collaboration will extend across many educational institutions covering both codes of basketball the 5x5 and the new Olympic sport of 3x3. With more Doha basketball competitions such opportunities for participants to our game are encouraged and strongly supported,” he said. 
“In addition, the federation has also agreed to short-term placement of university students to provide them an insight into the basketball industry. Students are placed with QBF staff primarily to observe and learn. However, if they have acquired skills such as photography or video recording-editing they may be permitted to use these skills at the Qatar Universities Basketball Cup and or other major basketball events,” al-Malki concluded. 
Ms. Maryam al-Mannai commented on the occasion of the MoU by saying: “At HBKU, we believe that learning goes beyond the classroom and research labs. Our new collaboration with the Qatar Basketball Federation embodies our values of reaching out to the larger community and fostering holistic development and leadership. 
“By taking the initiative and by playing an important role in hosting the inaugural Qatar Universities Basketball Cup, we continue to showcase our commitment to serving the community with diligent fervour. 
“Along with the QBF, and together with our partners in Qatar Foundation, as well as universities across Qatar, we are looking forward to promoting and advocating sportsmanship,” she said. 
“As Qatar Foundation’s homegrown university, we are proud to take the lead on a national competition like this, and play our part in promoting a deeper sense of community across the society,” al-Mannai said.

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