The Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy GCC Basketball Cup for women, is set to take place from August 22-26 in Abu Dhabi.
The tournament, held under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and Chairwoman of Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and Al Ain Ladies Club, will feature four GCC teams: Kuwait’s Al-Qurain, Oman’s Salalah Club, Qatar’s Al-Gharafa Club, and the host team representing Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy.
The organising committee for the inaugural basketball tournament has revealed that extensive preparations have been made for a grand opening ceremony for the competition, which will include several surprises for fans, and the presence of high-profile figures from the UAE and GCC countries.
The tournament will be the first Gulf championship organised at the recently inaugurated headquarters of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi.
The competition will coincide with celebrations ahead of Emirati Women's Day, held annually on August 28, with the qualifying rounds taking place from August 22-24 , followed by several games to determine the top four positions on August 25-26.
Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year after withdrawing on Friday with a wrist injury, dealing another blow to the world number two's clay court preparations ahead of his French Open title defence.
Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent tournaments in Miami and Monte Carlo and said on Friday that he will not feature at next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has defended Jasprit Bumrah after the struggling pace spearhead went a fifth Indian Premier League match without a wicket in Thursday's seven-wicket defeat by Punjab Kings.
Iranian women's football players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives.
Ollie Watkins still has hope of making England's World Cup squad despite being dropped for last month's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with the Aston Villa forward saying all he can do in the last few weeks of the season is score goals.
Dubai Police, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, have arrested an Irish fugitive accused of involvement in an organised criminal group linked to international crimes in his home country.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to discuss national priorities and the country’s continued development.