Bahrain name Asian Games basketball squad

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain have named their 12-man senior basketball squad for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Although the Games officially run from September 19 to October 4, the men's 5x5 basketball competition gets underway this Thursday, nine days before the opening ceremony.

Slobodan Subotic's men have been drawn in Group C alongside defending champions the Philippines, China and Kazakhstan as they target a place in the knockout stage.

The kingdom's cagers head to Japan in strong form after completing a perfect first round of the FIBA Asia Cup 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, winning all four of their matches in Dubai. They have since returned to training as preparations continue for the continental multi-sport event.

The Bahrain Basketball Association confirmed the final roster as Ahmed Alderazi, Ahmed Bindayneh, Ahmed Salman Haji, Brothers Ali Hussain Rashed and Mustafa Hussain Rashed, Ali Jaber Al Haddad, Elijah Thomas, Uros Ilic, Baqer Sampson, Kelechi Ajukwa, Mohammed Nasser Juma and Mohammed Buallay.

The nationals open their campaign against the Philippines on September 11 at 1pm Bahrain time before facing China the following day at 10am.

They complete their group-stage fixtures against Kazakhstan on September 14 at 4am.

All matches will be played at the new IG Arena, officially known as the Aichi International Arena.

Elsewhere, hosts Japan headline Group A alongside South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, while Group B features Iran, Jordan, Chinese Taipei and Qatar.

Each team will face the other three sides in their group once, with the top two from each pool advancing to the quarter-finals alongside the two best third-placed teams.

The last eight will be played on September 16, followed by the semi-finals on September 18 and the third-place playoff and final on September 20.