Wheelchair Basketball Team Secures Quarterfinal Spot at 3X3 World Cup in South Africa

UAE Wheelchair Basketball Team Storms Into World Championship Quarterfinals

The UAE's 3x3 wheelchair basketball team has secured direct qualification to the World Championship quarterfinals in South Africa, topping their group with an impressive 3-1 record that bypassed the Round of 16 entirely. This breakthrough performance marks a significant milestone for Emirati Paralympic sport on the global stage.

Dominant Group Stage Performance

Competing in Group 1 of the tournament running through next Monday, the UAE squad delivered a commanding opening day performance across four matches. The team systematically dismantled Croatia 14-8, followed by a decisive 19-8 victory over Kenya and a solid 16-10 win against Great Britain.

Their only stumble came in a nail-biting encounter with Egypt, where they fell just short in a 12-11 thriller that demonstrated the razor-thin margins at elite Paralympic competition levels.

Strategic Advantage Through Direct Qualification

The direct quarterfinal berth provides the UAE team with crucial tactical and physical advantages heading into the knockout rounds. While other teams battle through additional elimination matches, the Emiratis can rest, strategize, and maintain peak condition for their next challenge.

The team now awaits the winner of Austria's matchup against a third-place qualifier from Group 2, positioning them favorably for a potential semifinal push.

Building Paralympic Excellence

This performance aligns with the UAE's broader investment in Paralympic sports infrastructure, following successful initiatives across multiple disciplines. The team's tactical cohesion, fighting spirit, and strategic focus throughout the group stage reflects the professional development programs that have elevated Emirati Paralympic athletes to international competitiveness.

The squad's chemistry was evident across all four matches, with players demonstrating the kind of synchronized play typically seen from established wheelchair basketball powerhouses like Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Team Composition and Leadership

The delegation operates under mission chief Ismail Al Maraziq, with technical staff led by head coach Aba Akakojki and assistant coach Tariq Alyasi. The playing roster features Mohamed Hashel Al Habsi, Jasim Murad Ramadan, Mansour Al Naqbi, and Mohamed Al Hamed Al Hashemi.

This quarterfinal appearance represents more than just tournament success—it signals the UAE's emergence as a legitimate contender in Paralympic wheelchair basketball, potentially inspiring increased participation and investment in adaptive sports programs across the Emirates.