Bahrain’s young basketball stars take on Germany

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s brightest young basketball talents are set to take Germany by storm as the national youth men’s team departs for the 31st Albert Schweitzer Tournament, one of the world’s most prestigious under-18 competitions.

Running from April 3 to 12 in Mannheim and Viernheim, the tournament will see the Bahrainis face some of the globe’s top youth teams, including Germany, Serbia, Slovenia, Türkiye, Sweden, Italy, Brazil, China, New Zealand, Japan, and Latvia.

Leading Bahrain’s delegation is Mr. Nader Al Awadi, Vice President of the Bahrain Basketball Federation (BBA). He confirmed that all travel and logistics, including routing via Doha, have been meticulously arranged so players can focus entirely on the competition. “We met with parents, confirmed arrangements, and created the right environment for our team to perform at their best,” Al Awadi said.

Bahrain has been drawn into Group A alongside Germany, Sweden, Slovenia, Japan, and Türkiye. The team opens its campaign against hosts Germany on Saturday at 9 PM, faces Sweden on Sunday at 6:15 PM, and takes on Slovenia on Monday at 6:15 PM.

After a rest day on Tuesday, they play Japan on Wednesday at 2:15 PM and conclude group play against Türkiye on Thursday at 2:45 PM. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on April 10. Gold and bronze medal games are scheduled for April 11, and classification matches for fifth through 12th place will also be held.

The squad features standout performers from last year’s FIBA U16 Asia Cup GBA Qualifiers, including Hasan Abdulkadir, Somto Patrick Onoduenyi, and Yousif Yaqoob Meshael. For these players, the Albert Schweitzer Tournament offers invaluable international exposure and a crucial stepping stone toward the upcoming Gulf Basketball Association qualifiers for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026.

With this talented generation, the BBA hopes to continue Bahrain’s rise on the global basketball stage, starting with a strong showing in Germany.