Egypt and Kuwait secure big wins as Middle East hoops tournament tips off

Seven teams from across the Middle East and North Africa have begun competing in the third Fatima bint Mubarak Academy Women’s Basketball Cup in Abu Dhabi. The tournament, which opened on Friday, 28 August, features clubs from the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt competing for the regional title. Opening Day Results The competition commenced with three high-scoring fixtures. Kuwait’s Al-Oyoun Women’s secured a decisive 70–34 victory over Jordan’s Al-Muqawileen Club. In the second match, Qatar’s Al Gharafa defeated Oman’s Salalah with a score of 82–36. The final game of the opening day saw Egypt’s 6th of October Club beat Kuwait’s Salwa Al Sabah 87–60. The participating roster includes the Fatima bint Mubarak Academy Basketball Team (UAE), Al Gharafa (Qatar), Salwa Al Sabah (Kuwait), Al-Oyoun Women’s (Kuwait), Salalah (Oman), Al-Muqawileen Club (Jordan), and 6th of October (Egypt). Regional Sports Development The 2026 edition of the cup is timed to coincide with Emirati Women’s Day, held under the theme "We Emerge Stronger and Better." The event is organized under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and the directives of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA). Dr. Omnia Al Hajri, Vice Chairwoman of the FBMA, stated that the tournament is designed to provide female athletes with opportunities to exchange experience and develop technical skills through…