Bahrain Set for William Jones Cup Return

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

National team to face eight opponents in Chinese Taipei

Bahrain’s men’s basketball team will compete in the 44th William Jones Cup from July 12 to 20, taking on a demanding schedule against some of Asia’s top sides. The tournament, hosted in Chinese Taipei, is the team’s second appearance in the competition and comes as part of their wider preparation for the Arab Nations Championship later this summer.

Vovoras Takes Charge

Newly appointed head coach Georgios Vovoras will make his Bahrain debut in the tournament. The 48-year-old Greek brings top-level experience from across Europe and the NBA Summer League, with previous stints at the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Vovoras is currently working with an 18-player squad, which includes a mix of local talent and international professionals such as Wayne Chism, Elijah Thomas, and Jakarr Sampson.

Packed Schedule

Bahrain open their campaign against Japan on July 12. They’ll then face Chinese Taipei’s national development team and Malaysia, followed by back-to-back games against teams from Australia, the UAE, Qatar, Chinese Taipei’s senior national team, and the Philippines.

The full match schedule is as follows:

• July 12, 8AM – Bahrain vs Japan
  
  

• July 13, 12PM – Bahrain vs Chinese Taipei B
  
  

• July 14, 8AM – Bahrain vs Malaysia
  
  

• July 15, 8AM – Bahrain vs Australia
  
  

• July 16, 8AM – Bahrain vs UAE
  
  

• July 17, 10AM – Bahrain vs Qatar
  
  

• July 18, 2PM – Bahrain vs Chinese Taipei A
  
  

• July 19, 10AM – Bahrain vs Philippines
  
  

The field features national teams, university sides, and clubs from Bahrain, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, the UAE, Qatar, the Philippines, and hosts Chinese Taipei.

Building Toward Tunisia

The Bahrain Basketball Association sees the tournament as a key part of its strategy to elevate the national team through top level exposure. The experience is expected to help with their preparations ahead of the Arab Nations Championship in Tunisia, which kicks off July 25.

Bahrain's return to the William Jones Cup, nearly half a century since their last appearance, reflects the federation's serious intent to raise their game across Asia.