Qatar national team to play two friendly matches against India in Doha
Doha: In preparation for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Finals, the Qatar Basketball Federation has officially announced the commencement of the second phase of the Qatari national team’s training program. This training camp is scheduled to take place in Doha from July 8 to 14, following the successful completion of the initial phase in Turkey.
This training camp is a crucial component of the Federation’s extensive preparation strategy, designed to ensure that the Qatari national team achieves both physical and technical readiness, allowing the players to participate in the continental tournament in optimal condition.
The training camp will feature both morning and evening training sessions at the Al Gharafa Club Gymnasium, along with two friendly matches against India, which are part of the high-level competitive preparation. The first match is set for Friday, July 11, 2025, at 7pm, while the second match will take place on Sunday, July 13, at the same time, both at the Al Gharafa Indoor Gymnasium.
The technical camp is under the supervision of Turkish coach Hakan Demir, who heads the national team’s technical staff and possesses extensive experience in both Asian and European basketball. The coaching staff is concentrating on enhancing team cohesion, implementing both defensive and offensive strategies, and improving physical fitness as the tournament draws near.
The preparation program is set to encompass a third phase, which includes an external camp in South Korea from July 16 to 21. This phase will feature several significant friendly matches against formidable Asian teams. Subsequently, the team will participate in an international friendly tournament hosted by Qatar at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall from July 25 to August 1, which will involve the national teams of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Japan. This will mark the conclusion of the preparations for the continental finals.
The 2025 FIBA Asia Cup draw has placed the Qatari national team in Group A, alongside Lebanon, South Korea, and Australia. The team will commence its campaign against Lebanon on August 6, followed by a match against South Korea on August 8, and will conclude the group stage with a game against Australia on August 10. The winners of the group will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the teams finishing in second and third place will engage in knockout matches to secure the remaining qualification slots.
The Qatar Basketball Federation emphasizes that all stages of preparation are part of a well-defined strategic vision aimed at equipping a national team capable of competing honorably on a continental level. This initiative focuses on the ongoing development of young players and the promotion of a culture of collective performance and technical discipline, which reflects national aspirations in this significant tournament.
The Federation urges basketball fans in Qatar to rally behind the national team in the upcoming phase and to follow its friendly matches, embodying the spirit of partnership between the fans and the national team.
