The Arab Basketball Confederation conducted the draw for the 38th edition of its premier club competition on October 5, placing Sulaibikhat alongside Al Arabi from Qatar, Beirut First and Hobs from host Lebanon, Homs Al Fidaa from Syria and Shaab Hadramaut from Yemen in Group B. Group A consists of Al Hikma and Al Markaziya from Lebanon, Al Rayyan from Qatar, Ahli Aleppo from Syria, Al Manama from Bahrain and Al Seeb from Oman. The event will unfold in Beirut through October 20 with the confederation overseeing all aspects of the competition.
According to the organizing body, the top four teams from each group of six will advance to the quarterfinals under a format designed to maintain competitive balance throughout the group phase. This edition features 12 clubs after several teams withdrew from initial plans, a reduction from the 16 participants seen in the 2025 tournament staged in Dubai. Sulaibikhat enters as Kuwait’s representative, tasked with navigating a section that includes multiple clubs with prior experience in regional finals.
Sulaibikhat, established in Kuwait in 1973, competes in the domestic Division One league where it has recorded mixed results in recent campaigns, including a challenging 2025 season. The club will use the Arab championship to test itself against higher-profile opposition from across the region as it builds toward future domestic objectives. Lebanese teams have claimed the majority of titles in the tournament’s history, setting a benchmark for participants such as Sulaibikhat.
The draw creates several high-stakes encounters in Group B, where Al Arabi, Beirut First and Hobs are viewed as frontrunners based on their recent regional performances. Sulaibikhat, Homs Al Fidaa and Shaab Hadramaut will compete for the remaining qualifying positions that lead into the knockout rounds. The confederation is scheduled to publish the detailed match calendar in the coming days to allow teams to complete their preparations.
Kuwait has produced several strong showings in past Arab Clubs Basketball Championships, with multiple clubs reaching semifinal stages in editions dating back over a decade. Figures compiled by the Arab Basketball Confederation indicate growing participation from Gulf nations, which have secured victories against traditional contenders from Lebanon and Egypt. The current format rewards consistent performance across the five group matches each team will play.
The selection of Al Hikma as host reflects the club’s storied record in the competition, including multiple championship wins that have made it a cornerstone of Arab basketball. Organizers expect elevated interest in Beirut, where the venue will accommodate matches involving a diverse mix of teams from eight countries. All participating clubs are now engaged in final training adjustments ahead of the October 9 opening games.
