Mukalla: The city of Mukalla in Hadramout governorate will host tomorrow evening, Thursday, the first game of the Basketball Republic Cup final, featuring Shabab Hadramout and defending champions Al-Mina'a Aden.
According to Yemen News Agency, the final is played in a best-of-three format, with the team winning two games crowned champions. All matches are being held at the indoor hall of Shabab Hadramout Club, under the organization of the Yemeni Basketball Federation.
Shabab Hadramout and Al-Mina'a reached the final after topping Groups A and B, respectively, in the group stage. The final is expected to deliver high levels of intensity and excitement, as it brings together the two strongest Yemeni basketball teams, both of which have reinforced their squads with foreign professionals.
The Republic Cup serves as the closing event of the 2024/2025 season for the Yemeni Basketball Federation, which featured numerous tournaments and activities across different divisions and age categories over nearly a full year. The competition was held in two stages. The first stage featured 16 teams divided into four groups hosted in Sana'a, Aden, Seiyun, and Mukalla. Eight teams advanced-two from each group-into the final stage in Mukalla, where they competed in two groups on a round-robin basis. The winner of each group secured a spot in the final.
Shabab Hadramout topped Group A with three straight wins against Wahda Sana'a, Al-Tilal, and Seiyun. Al-Mina'a led Group B, also with three victories, defeating Ahli Sana'a, Mukalla, and Shibam Hadramout.