By Abdellatif Sharaa
KUWAIT: The second round of the Arab men basketball clubs' championship will kick off on Thursday with six matches. Sixteen clubs from 11 countries are participating in the tournament that continues until Oct 15. Al-Riyadhi (Lebanon) meets Al-Gharrafa (Qatar) at 3:00 pm. At 5:00 pm, Ahli Benghazi (Libya) play Ittihad Alexandria (Egypt). The third match with be between Ahli Aleppo (Syria) and the hosts Kuwait Club at 7:00 pm.
Meanwhile, Beirut (Lebanon) will meet Widad Boufarik (Algeria) at 3:00 pm, followed by Kazma with Ahli (Bahrain) at 5:00 pm, then at 7:00 pm Sadd (Qatar) will play Bashaer (Oman). Kuwait Club is expected to have an easy match against Aleppo, as players are ready, in addition to having signed excellent professional players, but they should be wary of surprises. Al-Ahli is more prepared and at same level of Kazma, although Kazma have the advantage of playing at home and have a good fan backing.
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In a rare move, Al-Gharrafa signed a contract with Kuwait basketball coach Talal Al-Qallaf to lead the team during the championship, because their coach Qusai Hatim of Iraq was not able to travel to Kuwait. Meanwhile, the technical committee of the Arab Basketball Association held its meeting with all participating clubs in the presence of Secretary General Abdullah Shalabi and head of the Higher Organizing Committee Bader Al-Osaimi.
Shalabi lauded the good organization and professionalism of the organizing committee, adding all procedures are going smoothly, and expected this championship to be the best at both the technical and organizational levels.