DOHA/RIYADH - October's final week saw hectic activity among the National Federations of Qatar(QBF) and Saudi Arabia(SBF) with the Regional Office of FIBA in Asia conducting back to back Workshops to introduce the FIBA new competition system to these two Gulf nations.

"The Gulf subzone has often acted as a very vital catalyst in the development of basketball in Asia," said Mr. Hagop Khajirian, FIBA Executive Director-Asia, who led a battery of experts at these two Workshops.

"We are aware of the impact the Gulf subzone can make on the new competition system as well as how the these new changes can add to strengthening the National Federations itself. Therefore we are quite pleased at the response we have received at these two Workshops," he said.

"All the questions that we had in our minds have been answered in this Workshop. Much kudos to the Regional Office of FIBA in Asia," said Sheikh Saoud B. Abdulrahman Al Thani, president of QBF.

"The new competition system promises to change the very face of basketball in the coming years. I am very happy to note that Qatar will play its necessary contributory role in this," he said.

"We in Qatar believe in delivering any event to perfection. And we have done so many times in the past. We are only too happy to repeat that," said Mr. Saadoun Alkuwari, Executive Director of the QBF.

You can find extended details about the new competition system here.

The new competition system concept was welcomed with enthusiasm across the border in Riyadh as well.

"I think we have waited far too long for basketball to move forward and take its deserved place among the sport fans. The new competition system delivers just that," said Mr. Mohammed Abdulshkoor Islam president of SBF.

"The new competition system comes at a time when we in Saudi Arabia are working towards boosting the image of basketball within our country. I think this project will provide us with a shot in the arm," he concluded.

FIBA