BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Ahmed Haji has always known how much basketball means to the people of Bahrain, but sometimes, the love from the fans takes even him by surprise.
"The support that [the fans] show us, it's priceless to be honest."
"I had a fan, a month ago, ask me for my socks right after the game," Haji recalled with a laugh. "I think it was stinky too, but he was insisting, so I gave it to him."
For Haji, it's more than just game-day hype - it's about giving back. Jerseys, pictures, moments with the fans, even buying jerseys with his own money to give them away - he makes sure the support he receives is returned. Even if he doesn't have a jersey on-hand, he'll list the request down and make sure to set up a time later in the season with that fan.
"They deserve this and even more," he said. "The support that they show us, it's priceless to be honest."
Now, as Bahrain hosts the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place Teams for Group G, the fans will be louder than ever, and Haji is ready to give them something special.
Honor of the Home Team
For any player, representing their country is an honor. But to compete for a spot in the Asia Cup on home soil? That's something else entirely.
"It's really big that we host the qualifying tournament," Haji said. "We really need that as players and as a whole group. The main reason is the fans - we all know how passionate Bahraini fans are, how much they love the game, and how much they love us as players."
Bahrain will face India on March 22 and Iraq on March 23, both games taking place at Khalifa Sports City in Manama. The top two teams qualify for FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
What the Asia Cup Means to Haji
Bahrain have played in the Asia Cup nine times, including the previous edition in 2022, when they took China to the wire in the Group Phase. They have a chance here to make it their 10th appearance and to do so in consecutive competitions is a nice achievement for an up-and-coming basketball nation.
For Haji, though, it's about something more personal - he wasn't there in 2022.
"Every player wants to play in the Asia Cup," he admitted. "But in my case, I felt our team played really well last time. It was a really tight game against China. Maybe if I was with them, I could have helped in some way, maybe not. But the guys did a great job, and the whole country was proud of them."
Now, he's fighting to make his debut on that stage and he wants to be a part of making the country proud this time, too.
"Being on this huge stage, whether it's my debut or not, it's still going to mean a lot," he said. "Every basketball player dreams of the big stage. I feel like I'm growing up, I feel like I need to not just participate, but try to make an impact with my team at this level."
A Year to Remember
Haji isn't just one of Bahrain's top players at the moment - he's having one of the best years of his career.
He exploded in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, averaging 20.8 points per game. His record-breaking night against Syria, where he hit 11 consecutive three-pointers and dropped 35 points, made headlines.
In FIBA WASL, he's been a consistent force for Manama Club, averaging at least 11 points per game for three straight seasons and leading them through WASL Gulf and the Final 8.
"It's always a blessing when you have a good year, and I never take that for granted," Haji said. "I never let my highs get too high or my lows get too low. I give all the credit to my teammates and coaching staff."
Now, all of that momentum leads to this moment - playing in front of his home fans, wearing his country's jersey, with everything on the line.
The Weight of the Jersey
For Haji, playing for Bahrain isn't just about basketball - it's about family, history, and pride.
"My dad was part of the national team for years and years as a head coach," he said. "I think he has the most medals won with the national team as a head coach.
"[Playing for the national team,] It's huge. It's the biggest badge that we can wear as a player - to play for the national team and to be part of the best 12 players of the country. So, it's huge for me."
And now, with Bahrain's basketball future on the line, he's ready to give it everything.
FIBA