Dubai Basketball’s youth team has completed an intense and inspiring week, competing in two major championships across two countries and reinforcing their growing status as one of the region’s most ambitious development programmes.

Tipping off on Friday, 28 Novembe , the team travelled to Vienna, Austria, for their debut appearance in the U19 ABA League Championship. This is the first time Dubai Basketball has ever been represented at youth level in this coveted European competition. Drawn against elite youth teams of ABA and EuroLeague teams – Crvena Zvezda, KRKA and FMP, the squad embraced the challenge with determination and maturity beyond their years. Despite being the youngest team in the tournament, they delivered competitive performances that laid the foundation for a strong comeback next season.

Reflecting on the experience, Head Coach Irhad Tinjak said, “It has been a great experience for us to play in this U19 tournament. Before coming, we knew we had the youngest team in the tournament and that it would be very difficult to compete with the best youth teams in Europe. I am very proud of our boys and how they have always fought, and I hope this will help us achieve better results in the future. This is part of the development process for our players.”

Just hours after returning from Europe, the team took to the court once again, this time on home soil, for the Dubai Open for Basketball Academies (DOBA) Championship. On Tuesday, they delivered a strong semi-final victory, securing their place in last night’s final. Despite a resilient performance and a standout effort in overtime, they finished as runners-up, with the effects of travel and minor injuries felt across the squad. 

This season marks a milestone for Dubai Basketball’s youth pathway, with the team competing in three major competitions: the DOBA Championship, the U19 ABA League Championship, and the senior men’s UAE Basketball League. Their commitment, fight and professionalism across this demanding schedule highlight the club’s investment in building a high-performance environment for young players in Dubai.

As the season continues, the youth team’s ambition remains clear: to grow, compete, and represent Dubai Basketball with pride wherever they play while creating a clear pathway to professional basketball in the country.

-ENDS-

About Dubai Basketball: 

Founded in 2023, Dubai Basketball is a newly established professional basketball franchise that plays in Europe’s EuroLeague and Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League for the 2025/26 season. The franchise has assembled a strong roster of players led by Head Coach Jurica Golemac. The club plays their home games at Coca-Cola Arena.

Dubai Basketball stands as a testament to the power of passion and dedication in shaping the landscape of basketball in the UAE and beyond. Its foundation is built upon a diverse and talented team, consisting of FIBA-certified coaches, former professional players, business experts, and passionate enthusiasts.

Dubai Basketball is committed to catalysing positive social change, where dreams are not just envisioned but realised, talents are not merely found but nurtured, and aspirations are not only lived but fulfilled.

Keep up to date with the latest news on Dubai Basketball by visiting www.dubaibasketball.com or on social media platforms:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dubaibasketballclub
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dubaibasketballclub/
X – https://x.com/dubaibasket
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@DubaiBasketball

Media Enquiries:

David Jover

[email protected]

or

Hanan Mohamed

[email protected]