The Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy GCC Basketball Cup for women, is set to take place from August 22-26 in Abu Dhabi.
The tournament, held under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and Chairwoman of Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and Al Ain Ladies Club, will feature four GCC teams: Kuwait’s Al-Qurain, Oman’s Salalah Club, Qatar’s Al-Gharafa Club, and the host team representing Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy.
The organising committee for the inaugural basketball tournament has revealed that extensive preparations have been made for a grand opening ceremony for the competition, which will include several surprises for fans, and the presence of high-profile figures from the UAE and GCC countries.
The tournament will be the first Gulf championship organised at the recently inaugurated headquarters of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi.
The competition will coincide with celebrations ahead of Emirati Women's Day, held annually on August 28, with the qualifying rounds taking place from August 22-24 , followed by several games to determine the top four positions on August 25-26.
American great Serena Williams will face Australian 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round of her eagerly awaited return to Wimbledon, a potentially tricky tie for the seven-time champion playing at the tournament for the first time since 2022.
Australia booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Thursday after a cagey draw against Paraguay, who are set to qualify as a third-placed finisher, while Turkey beat USA 3-2, scoring the winner with virtually the last kick of the match.
The Netherlands scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the first half en route to a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday night in Kansas City in Group F, while Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 in Texas.
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said all Ecuadoreans have a lot to celebrate on Thursday after the country's biggest World Cup result ever, coming from behind to beat Germany 2-1 and advance to the knockout stage.
New Zealand took control of the third Test at Trent Bridge with Tom Latham and Devon Conway setting a record partnership for the Kiwis against England on Thursday.