By Sports Reporter/Doha

 
Defending champions Al Gharafa face another tough test in the Emir Cup Basketball which will be played from May 15 to 29.
After completing a clean sweep of the domestic titles last year Gharafa is lying low this time, having finished third in the recently-concluded Qatar Basketball League and now has been placed in the Group A with 16-time league champions Al Rayyan.
However, Gharafa coach Koussay al-Khalaf sounded optimistic after the draw.
“It’s a fair grouping and I am expecting some strong competition this year in the tournament,” al-Khalaf told Gulf Times.
Al-Khalaf, whose team had landed a grand treble (League, Emir Cup and Qatar Cup) last year, also appreciated the Qatar Basketball Federation’s (QBF) move to give priority to the finalists of the last season in the draw of the new editions of the two prestigious domestic tournaments.
“This time last year’s winner and runners-up have been put in the different groups so that the other teams also have equal chance to prove their mettle and QBF deserves praise for adopting the procedure. So this is a welcome move,” he said.
“I feel the draws for both the big championships look fairly even. All the top four teams are equally divided in the two groups and even the upcoming teams like Al Shamal, Al Wakrah, Qatar Sports Club and Al Arabi have a chance to do well.
“The cups are not played on the format of the League. Even the smaller teams have an opportunity to play well against big teams, upset them and qualify for the semi-finals. All the teams will make some changes and try to get stronger for the upcoming events.”
Talking about his team’s preparations he said: “We have yet to decide about our combinations as my top player Larry Blair is still not fully fit.”
Gharafa’s American guard Blair, the highest scorer last year with 624 points in the league, is recovering from a surgery.
“Blair condition has improved from a knee infection after the operation but he is still in rehabilitation process,” the coach, whose side will play their first match against Qatar Sports Club on May 9, said.
Al-Khalaf was also satisfied with his team’s improved performance in the last couple of league matches.
“I’m happy with my team’s performance in the last three matches leading up to the third place. Last year, we won all the three major titles and Larry played his part well. But his injury came at the wrong time. The League is over now and we’ve to think about the remaining two events in the season,” the coach said.
Al Arabi, Al Khor and Qatar Sports Club are the other teams in the Group A.
Last year’s runners-up El Jaish, who finished second in the league, are paired in Group B with Al Sadd, Al Ahli, Wakrah and Shamal.
On the first day, Al Arabi will take on Al Khor, while Al Rayyan will meet Qatar Sports Club at Gharafa Indoor Hall.
In Qatar Cup, which will be held from April 11 to 30, last year’s winners Gharafa and runners-up Rayyan have been put in Group B and Group A, respectively. Al Ahli will lock horns with Al Wakrah and Al Arabi will play Al Sadd on the opening day.
The semi-finals for both the tournaments will be played in a best-of-three format and the final will be held at Losail Multipurpose Arena.
The draw ceremony was held in the presence of Qatar Basketball Federation’s (QBF) general secretary Mohamed Ali Hobesh and club representatives.