Hagop Khajirian, Majid Sultan, Ahmed Al Khaja and other dignitaries pose for a picture.

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

The FIBA Regional Office Asia and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai have signed a partnership agreement for the hosting of the Basketball Champions League Asia 2024.

The ceremony took place during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition, at Dubai World Trade Centre, and was attended by Hagop Khajirian, FIBA Executive Director Asia, Majid Sultan, Executive Director of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, and Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

Last week, FIBA Regional Office Asia awarded the hosting rights of the inaugural Basketball Champions League Asia to the city of Dubai, underscoring its status as a premier destination for sporting events of international acclaim.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, Khajirian stated, “This club competition in Asia boasts a rich history and tradition, yet this year’s edition holds special significance as it marks the debut of the rebranded Basketball Champions League Asia. It represents another strategic milestone in fulfilling FIBA’s objective of reshaping the landscape of international club competitions.“

“I am thrilled and eagerly anticipating the tip-off in Dubai. For this, I want to extend my gratitude to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and the UAE Basketball Association for their support and facilitation in organising this inaugural edition in Dubai, he added.

“We at Shabab Al-Ahli Club are delighted to host the inaugural edition of the Basketball Champions League Asia. The trust bestowed upon us by FIBA Regional Office Asia  underscores Dubai’s stature as a premier destination for athletes and sporting events. With our outstanding infrastructure and talented team, we embrace the challenge and pledge to deliver an extraordinary edition,” said Sultan.

“I want to thank the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism for their invaluable cooperation and support in unveiling the BCL Asia 2024 hosting agreement contract signing at the Arabian Travel Market. This partnership not only captures the spotlight among attendees, exhibitors, and media but also underscores the synergy between event organizers and the host city, amplifying anticipation for the upcoming tournament and nurturing industry bonds.

“We appreciate the Department’s ongoing assistance in ensuring the success of the event, he added.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “Our commitment to bringing world-class international sporting events to Dubai aligns with the strategic goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure.

 “Sport is a central pillar in our tourism and events ecosystem, and the Basketball Champions League Asia 2024, which further strengthens Dubai’s year-round international sports calendar, is set to attract spectators from around the world, as well as appealing to basketball fans among our resident population. As Dubai looks forward to hosting this championship for the first time, we are confident it will be a resounding success, delivering an exceptional experience to players and spectators alike, and further highlighting Dubai’s position as an international events destination.”

The inaugural edition of Asia's top-tier club competition will feature eight champion clubs from eight Asian countries. Two of these eight teams, Pelita Jaya Basketball (Indonesia) and NS Matrix Deers (Malaysia), have already secured their spots through the recently concluded BCL Asia Qualifiers.

Two additional spots will be secured by the finalists of the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Final 8.