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Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s 47-year wait ends as William Jones Cup kicks off today

The 44th William Jones Cup begins today in Chinese Taipei, running through July 20. Bahrain’s senior men’s basketball team returns to the Asian tournament for only the second time since 1978, ending a 47-year absence.

The William Jones Cup serves as preparation ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah.

Match Schedule

• July 11, 8 AM: Bahrain vs Japan
  
  

• July 12, 12 PM: Bahrain vs Chinese Taipei 
  
  

• July 14, 9 AM: Bahrain vs Malaysia
  
  

• July 15, 8 AM: Bahrain vs Australia
  
  

• July 16, 8 AM: Bahrain vs UAE
  
  

• July 17, 10 AM: Bahrain vs Qatar (B Team)
  
  

• July 18, 2 PM: Bahrain vs Chinese Taipei 
  
  

• July 19, 10 AM: Bahrain vs Philippines (Strong Group Athletics)
  
  

Bahrain will play eight games in nine days

UAE Friendlies 

Ahead of the tournament, Bahrain wrapped up a training camp with the UAE, winning two friendlies decisively — 101–71 and 94–76 — both at Khalifa Sports Hall. These matches helped Coach Georgios Vovoras test lineups and build team chemistry.

Final Squad

• Wayne Chism

• Jakarr Sampson

• Mustafa Hussain

• Mohamed Buallay

• Ahmed Salman

• Muzamil Ameer

• Mohamed Alameer

• Ali Jassim

• Mohamed Yousef

• Ahmed bin Jinnah

• Abdulaziz Abdulla

• Sayed Hashim Habib
  
  

Bahrain Basketball Association President Alaa Mudara called the William Jones Cup “a perfect opportunity to test ourselves against Asia’s best and prepare for the FIBA Asia Cup.”