Nizwa emerge Youth League basketball champions
Salalah take second place, Seeb third
Published: 05:02 PM,Feb 28,2025 | EDITED : 09:02 PM,Feb 28,2025
Muscat, Feb 28
The 2024-25 Youth Basketball League concluded with Nizwa Club securing the championship title, while Salalah Club finished as the runners-up and Seeb Club took third place. The final match and award ceremony were held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex’s secondary hall in Bausher, under the auspices of Qais al Zakwani, CEO of Nama Water Services and attended by Eng Khalfan bin Saleh al Naabi, Chairman of Oman Basketball Association (OBA).
The final round featured two intense match-ups: the first between Seeb and Al Amerat and the second between Nizwa and Salalah. The games showcased a high level of skill, following the league’s 'Final Four' format, which operated on a double round-robin system to determine the winners based on accumulated points.
After the final match, Qais al Zakwani and Eng Khalfan al Naabi honoured the winning teams and presented individual awards to the league’s standout players. Salalah’s Qaisar al Balushi was named best playmaker, while his teammate Mishal Kafkaf won the best centre award. Meanwhile, Al Amerat’s Mazen al Owaisi claimed both the league's top scorer and best three-point shooter titles.
Nizwa was awarded gold medals and the championship trophy, while Salalah received silver medals and the runners-up trophy. Seeb secured bronze medals and the third-place trophy.
SALALAH DEFEAT NIZWA
In a thrilling match, Salalah triumphed over Nizwa with a score of 84-57, although the result did not affect Nizwa's overall league victory.
The game started competitively, with Salalah taking a 15-12 lead in the first quarter after a fast-paced exchange of points.
In the second quarter, Nizwa fought back, with Mulhem al Obaidani sinking a three-pointer to level the score at 17-17. However, Salalah regained the lead, thanks to the exceptional performance of Qusay al Balushi, ending the first half with a 28-28 tie.
The third quarter remained closely contested, as Nizwa took their first lead at 36-32. However, Salalah quickly equalised at 38-38 through Qaisar al Balushi and ultimately edged the quarter 41-40.
In the final quarter, Salalah dominated, with consecutive baskets from Mishal Kafkaf and Sufyan Bait Tawfiq, gradually widening the gap to 48-42 before sealing a commanding 84-57 victory.
AL AMERAT EDGE SEEB
Al Amerat secured a hard-fought 70-66 win over Seeb in a game that remained highly competitive until the final moments. Al Amerat started strong, taking the first quarter 21-17.
Early in the second quarter, Al Amerat extended their lead with a successful free throw from Ibrahim al Balushi. However, Seeb responded quickly, scoring four points through Abdulrahman al Maamari and Saif al Yahyaei. Seeb continued to shine, with Saif al Yahyaei hitting a three-pointer, but Al Amerat’s Mazen al Eisai closed the gap with a two-pointer, bringing the score to 24-24.
In the third quarter, Al Amerat maintained their lead despite Seeb’s efforts to close the gap, ending the period at 53-49 in Al Amerat’s favour.
The final quarter was intense, with Seeb narrowing the score to 59-60. However, Al Amerat held on, clinching the match by a four-point margin, 70-66.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Said al Habsi, Chairman of the Competitions Committee and Acting General Secretary of the Oman Basketball Association, praised the high level of competition in the Youth League, emphasising that the championship remained undecided until the last two matches. He also highlighted the emergence of young talents who will form the foundation of future national teams and expressed hopes for further development in upcoming seasons.
Al Habsi reaffirmed the association's commitment to nurturing young athletes through youth and junior leagues while recognising the role of sports training centres in supplying clubs with promising talent. He also announced the launch of a 3x3 basketball tournament during Ramadhan, organised in collaboration with the private sector, as well as the postponement of the Al Mouj Championship until after Ramadhan. Additionally, a special veterans’ basketball match is scheduled for the 13th of Ramadhan, alongside weekly training camps for the junior and youth national teams throughout the holy month.
Pics by Ammar al Musafir
The 2024-25 Youth Basketball League concluded with Nizwa Club securing the championship title, while Salalah Club finished as the runners-up and Seeb Club took third place. The final match and award ceremony were held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex’s secondary hall in Bausher, under the auspices of Qais al Zakwani, CEO of Nama Water Services and attended by Eng Khalfan bin Saleh al Naabi, Chairman of Oman Basketball Association (OBA).
The final round featured two intense match-ups: the first between Seeb and Al Amerat and the second between Nizwa and Salalah. The games showcased a high level of skill, following the league’s 'Final Four' format, which operated on a double round-robin system to determine the winners based on accumulated points.
After the final match, Qais al Zakwani and Eng Khalfan al Naabi honoured the winning teams and presented individual awards to the league’s standout players. Salalah’s Qaisar al Balushi was named best playmaker, while his teammate Mishal Kafkaf won the best centre award. Meanwhile, Al Amerat’s Mazen al Owaisi claimed both the league's top scorer and best three-point shooter titles.
Nizwa was awarded gold medals and the championship trophy, while Salalah received silver medals and the runners-up trophy. Seeb secured bronze medals and the third-place trophy.
SALALAH DEFEAT NIZWA
In a thrilling match, Salalah triumphed over Nizwa with a score of 84-57, although the result did not affect Nizwa's overall league victory.
The game started competitively, with Salalah taking a 15-12 lead in the first quarter after a fast-paced exchange of points.
In the second quarter, Nizwa fought back, with Mulhem al Obaidani sinking a three-pointer to level the score at 17-17. However, Salalah regained the lead, thanks to the exceptional performance of Qusay al Balushi, ending the first half with a 28-28 tie.
The third quarter remained closely contested, as Nizwa took their first lead at 36-32. However, Salalah quickly equalised at 38-38 through Qaisar al Balushi and ultimately edged the quarter 41-40.
In the final quarter, Salalah dominated, with consecutive baskets from Mishal Kafkaf and Sufyan Bait Tawfiq, gradually widening the gap to 48-42 before sealing a commanding 84-57 victory.
AL AMERAT EDGE SEEB
Al Amerat secured a hard-fought 70-66 win over Seeb in a game that remained highly competitive until the final moments. Al Amerat started strong, taking the first quarter 21-17.
Early in the second quarter, Al Amerat extended their lead with a successful free throw from Ibrahim al Balushi. However, Seeb responded quickly, scoring four points through Abdulrahman al Maamari and Saif al Yahyaei. Seeb continued to shine, with Saif al Yahyaei hitting a three-pointer, but Al Amerat’s Mazen al Eisai closed the gap with a two-pointer, bringing the score to 24-24.
In the third quarter, Al Amerat maintained their lead despite Seeb’s efforts to close the gap, ending the period at 53-49 in Al Amerat’s favour.
The final quarter was intense, with Seeb narrowing the score to 59-60. However, Al Amerat held on, clinching the match by a four-point margin, 70-66.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Said al Habsi, Chairman of the Competitions Committee and Acting General Secretary of the Oman Basketball Association, praised the high level of competition in the Youth League, emphasising that the championship remained undecided until the last two matches. He also highlighted the emergence of young talents who will form the foundation of future national teams and expressed hopes for further development in upcoming seasons.
Al Habsi reaffirmed the association's commitment to nurturing young athletes through youth and junior leagues while recognising the role of sports training centres in supplying clubs with promising talent. He also announced the launch of a 3x3 basketball tournament during Ramadhan, organised in collaboration with the private sector, as well as the postponement of the Al Mouj Championship until after Ramadhan. Additionally, a special veterans’ basketball match is scheduled for the 13th of Ramadhan, alongside weekly training camps for the junior and youth national teams throughout the holy month.
Pics by Ammar al Musafir