Bahrain and NBA Explore Strategic Basketball Partnership
The Bahrain Basketball Association has held a pivotal meeting with the Europe and Middle East division of the NBA to explore avenues for a comprehensive partnership aimed at enhancing the kingdom’s presence in international basketball. The discussion, held in Abu Dhabi, focused on collaboration in the technical, development, and commercial sectors, in an effort to reinforce Bahrain’s role on the global basketball stage.
Representing Bahrain were Board Members Hassan Yassin and Mohammed Abdul Samad, along with Secretary General Ahmed Hafez. They met with key NBA figures including Henry Utku (Director of Basketball Operations, Europe and the Middle East), Neal Meyer (Vice President of Basketball Operations), George Aivazoglou (Director General, Europe and the Middle East), and David Watts (Assistant Vice President, Business Development).
The NBA delegation praised the hospitality and rich sports culture of Bahrain, which was exemplified by the recent visit of numerous NBA Hall of Fame players during the FIBA Congress. They expressed that the experience created “a real motive to enhance cooperation” and created an “inspiring environment” for new initiatives.
Discussions centered around Bahrain potentially joining the NBA Academy programmes in Abu Dhabi, currently overseen by David Watts. The invitation extended to Bahrain to take part in the NBA Junior League in September 2026, also in Abu Dhabi, marks a significant next step. There are also prospects for Bahrain to host a future edition of this major youth basketball event.
Another key area of cooperation includes hosting coaching workshops, geared toward training youth and unlocking opportunities for young Bahraini athletes to gain scholarships and play at U.S. universities. These efforts are part of a greater vision to create a sustainable path for talented local players to reach the professional level.
This initiative represents both a strategic move for the development of the sport in Bahrain and a meaningful collaboration with one of the world’s most influential sports organizations.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE/mo
