Kuwait Leads Group A After Defeating Palestine at Arab Wheelchair Basketball Championship
Kuwait defeated Palestine 67-43 to lead Group A with four points at the first Arab Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Kuwait, Arab Times reported on Feb. 2. The hosts boast a 130-71 scoring differential after two matches in the event organized by the Kuwait Wheelchair Basketball Federation, which runs from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 with seven teams competing.
The Arab Times report detailed how Kuwait maintained its unbeaten record in Group A by overpowering Palestine with a 24-point margin at the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club Hall. This result follows an earlier win that helped establish the team’s leading position. The federation has worked to promote wheelchair basketball, drawing participants from across the Arab world for this pioneering championship.
According to tournament standings published by Arab Times, Palestine holds second place in Group A with three points after scoring 106 and conceding 103. Libya is third with three points following its 53-33 win over Jordan, and Jordan is last with two points. These outcomes highlight the competitive balance in the group during the ongoing tournament.
In Group B action, Egypt defeated Yemen although specific scores were not detailed in the Arab Times update. The group stage format will determine which teams advance to the knockout phase set for the latter part of the week. The Kuwait Wheelchair Basketball Federation has coordinated the event to foster greater engagement in the sport regionally.
Kuwait has participated in the 2013 Wheelchair Basketball Asia Oceania Championship, according to historical records from the sport’s governing bodies. Shafi Alhajeri from Kuwait currently serves as president of the IWBF Asia Oceania zone, which boasts 28 member countries as per the IWBF website. Such roles highlight the nation’s dedication to advancing wheelchair basketball opportunities.
The regional championship also acts as a stepping stone for athletes preparing for major events including the 2026 IWBF World Championships in Ottawa, Canada, from Sept. 9 to 19, the organizing committee for that event has stated. Teams gain vital experience in high-stakes matches that can aid in rankings and qualifications. Kuwait’s current form positions the team well for its aspirations in the international arena.
Local support has bolstered the tournament with CityBus offering transport for participating delegations, Instagram posts from the company indicated. This assistance contributes to the overall success of hosting an international competition of this scale. The first Arab Wheelchair Basketball Championship is expected to conclude with finals on Feb. 5.
