Al Nasr given tough draw in basketball's Jordan event

Dubai: Al Nasr senior basketball team - the winners of the FA Cup - will take part in the Arab club basketball tournament to be held in Jordan from April 23 to May 5.

The UAE champions will play in Group A along with Zain club of Jordan, Qatar club of Qatar and Al Tilal of Yemen. The group winners and runners-up will progress to the quarterfinals.

Adil Saif, the Al Nasr manager and Abdullah Al Merri, the administrator, attended the draw ceremony held in Cairo, with the Arab basketball federation officials and representatives from the other participating clubs also in attendance.

Talented

Dhirar Balhoul, an Al Nasr club board member and the head of the sports committee, believes the club have been drawn in a tough group. He said: "Our group is not easy, including two of the best Arab clubs: Zain of Jordan and Qatar club.

"They have talented foreign players. But we still have our chances to qualify for the quarterfinals," said Balhoul who added: "We will prepare in Morocco by taking part in an international tournament which will be a good."

The Al Ahli club of Saudi Arabia were not in the draw due to the two-year ban imposed on them after they withdrew from their tie against Al Riyadhy of Lebanon in the last event.

Group B

Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Fass (Morocco), Al Wahda (Syria), Dalasal (Palestine).

Group C

Arthozox (Jordan), Electricity (Iraq), Al Manama (Bahrain), Al Riyadhy (Lebanon).

Group D

Kuwait club (Kuwait), Segasse (Lebanon), Al Ittihad Al Exandriya (Egypt), Al Saib (Oman).