Saeed bin Saqr opens 6th Sharjah Int’l Youth Basketball Tournament

Distinguished attendance

The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mohammed Obaid Al Hussan, Secretary General of the Sharjah Sports Council; His Excellency Abdul Latif Al Fardan, President of the UAE Basketball Federation; His Excellency Salem Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Khorfakkan Cultural and Sports Club; Wael Al Sahawneh, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Jam Sports Academy; in addition to several officials, representatives of sports entities, and participating delegations.

Ceremonial programme

The ceremony featured a sporting parade bringing together the participating teams along the Khorfakkan Corniche to the venue, followed by the playing of the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates. This was followed by the screening of a visual film highlighting the tournament’s journey through its previous editions and the organisational and technical successes it has achieved.

Official speeches

Official addresses were delivered on behalf of the Sharjah Sports Council, Khorfakkan Cultural and Sports Club, and Jam Sports Academy, all of which emphasised the importance of the tournament in supporting the sport of basketball, investing in youth categories, and enhancing sporting and cultural exchange among young people from different countries.

Cultural and sporting performances

The ceremony also included distinctive showcase performances presented by basketball players from Khorfakkan Club, alongside heritage and display segments that added a festive atmosphere. This preceded the players’ recitation of the championship oath in the languages of the participating countries, reflecting the cultural and sporting diversity that characterises the tournament.

Official start of competition

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the tournament key was handed over to mark the official start of the competition, amid strong public attendance and notable engagement, ushering in days of intense sporting competition in the city of Khorfakkan.

A leading international tournament

The Sharjah International Youth Basketball Tournament is regarded as one of the most prominent international tournaments hosted by the Emirate, serving as an important sporting platform for discovering talent and strengthening Sharjah’s position on the map of international sporting competitions.