Al-mukalla: The final stage of the Republic Basketball Cup, organized by the General Basketball Federation, commenced today at the indoor hall of Shab Hadramout Club in Al-Mukalla, Hadramout Governorate. The tournament, held from September 14-20, features eight teams that advanced from the initial stage conducted in a group system across Sana'a, Aden, Seiyun, and Al-Mukalla.
According to Yemen News Agency, the teams were divided into two groups, with Group One comprising Shab Hadramout (the host), Al-Tilal, Seiyun, and Wahdat Sana'a, and Group Two featuring Ahli Sana'a, Al-Mina'a, Al-Mukalla, and Shibam. The winners of each group will advance to the championship final, which is played in a best-of-three format to determine the champion.
In the opening match, defending champion Shab Hadramout delivered a strong performance by defeating Seiyun 99-38 in Group One, with player Ahmed Fahd Badahman being named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Concurrently, Wahdat Sana'a won against Al-Tilal Aden 84-61, with Al-Tilal's Ziyad Tariq receiving the MVP award for that game.
In Group Two, Al-Mukalla secured a 56-46 victory over Ahli Sana'a, with Al-Mukalla's Ahmed Banajah earning MVP honors. Al-Mina'a achieved a decisive 108-48 win over Shibam Hadramout, with Ali Al-Arees being awarded the match MVP. Consequently, Al-Mina'a leads Group Two, followed by Al-Mukalla, with Ahli Sana'a and Shibam each holding one point.
The tournament will continue with four matches scheduled for tomorrow. Wahdat Sana'a will face Seiyun, and Shab Hadramout will meet Al-Tilal in Group One, while Al-Mina'a will play Al-Mukalla, and Ahli Sana'a will face Shibam Hadramout in Group Two.
The opening day's matches were attended by Anwar Abduldaim, Vice President of the Yemen Basketball Federation and Head of the Organizing Committee, alongside several federation members, Ibrahim Bahshwan, Head of the Hadramout Coast branch and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, and a large crowd of basketball enthusiasts.