5 reasons to get excited for the Western Region Pre-Qualifiers

BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers - Western Region) – When Asia’s premier continental championship was inaugurated in 1960, there were just 7 participating teams. Now, after the merge of the FIBA Asia and Oceania Championships into the ‘FIBA Asia Cup’, 44 member nations in Asia and 22 from Oceania are vying for just 16 spots in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup.

The Western Region Pre-Qualifiers starting todaya has a lot at stake, as 5 teams from South Asia, West Asia and Gulf sub-zones battle for spots in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

If that alone isn't enough to get you excited for all the action up ahead, here are five reasons to follow the Western Region Pre-Qualifiers:

#1 Fireworks from Palestine’s Shamala and Sakakini: It has been three years since the dynamic scoring duo of Abu Shamala and Sani Sakakini upset Philippines in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. The tandem is all set to return, and we can expect a whole new set of highlights and chest thumping plays from them.

#2 The epic Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia rematch: In the first round of the GBA Pre-Qualifiers, Saudi Arabia first beat Bahrain 69-62. In round 2, it was Bahrain's turn to prevail 93-91 in overtime. When the two sides meet again this Friday in face off number 3 , all bets will be off. The battle between these two 'Gulf Goliaths' is a sub plot worth watching.

#3 The 'Beast from the Middle East': If dunks are your thing, then 20-year-old Saudi Arabia centre Mohammed Alsuwailem promises to give you enough new posters to cover that bare bedroom wall of yours. The ‘Beast from the Middle East’ stood out in the previous round, averaging a double double of 16.2 points and 10.5 rebounds through the GBA Pre-Qualifiers. So you can expect Alsuwailem to continue to be at the centre of all the action, both literally and figuratively.

#4 South Asian rivalry played on the Regional stage: You can change the stage, but some rivalries will still remain. South Asian countries Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have a history of back and forth in the SABA zone. Now the rest of the continent will get a chance to witness the battle between two teams yearning for the title of South Asia’s second best side (after India).

#5 Clashing sub-zones: South Asia vs Gulf vs West Asia. There was a time when these Asian sub-zones shared only ancient trading routes. But while the spice and oil trade may be steeped in history, a new dawn of inter-sub zone basketball rivalry is here. For the first time in ages, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be travelling outside the Indian sub-continent to play competitive basketball. Will they prove to be confident travelers or will they get intimidated by the new environment? How will West Asian team Palestine fare against Gulf sides? Over time, as these nations get familiar with each others’ strengths and weaknesses, how will basketball in these sub-zones evolve?

Some of these answers may be a while in coming, but for now all we can do is get excited for the start of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers Western Region.

 FIBA