The President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani on Friday honoured members of the Qatari youth basketball team, which had won the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U-18 3x3 World Championship title, held in Astana, Kazakhstan last week. Qatar beat Brazil in the final 20-12.
The function, which was held at Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) head quarters, was attended by HE QOC Secretary-General Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, QBF President HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and QBF board members.
HE Sheikh Joaan praised the achievement made by the team members, urging them to make more efforts to make further achievements in the future. HE Dr al-Kuwari extended thanks to HE Sheikh Joaan for his keenness in on honouring the team members. He also lauded the achievement of the Qatari players congratulating them on the great success. For his part, HE Sheikh Saoud also thanked HE Sheikh Joaan for felicitating the players.  
The title-winning Qatar team comprised of  Nedim Muslic, Ndoye Seydou, Alen Hadzibegovic and Faris Sadikovic.
After dropping their first game of the tournament against Italy (16-19), Qatar went on to win their next six games, including the shock victory over reigning champions New Zealand in the semi-finals (21-16). The number one 3x3 player in the world (U-18 men) Muslic and big man Ndoye excelled in the final by scoring six points each. Hadzibegovic and Sedikovic both contributed four points apiece.
This victory at Astana meant Qatar is reigning 3x3 world champions in both U-18 and senior categories, following their success at the 2014 FIBA 3x3 World Championships.
Brazil, who took silver, had beaten Slovenia in the quarter-finals (19-13) and Italy in a thriller in the semi-finals (21-20).
Italy recovered from the devastating loss to secure the bronze medal against New Zealand (21-14).