Latest news with #AbdullaSaeedJumaAlNaboodah
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
EuroLeague welcomes Dubai Basketball for 2025-26 season
DUBAI: EuroLeague announced its expansion from 18 to 20 teams in late May, and Dubai Basketball have now been confirmed as one of the two new teams to secure a coveted spot for the 2025-26 season. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Dubai Basketball enjoyed a historic debut season in the ABA League, reaching the playoff semifinals before being halted by European powerhouse Partizan. Although their campaign ended short of the final, finishing in third overall, the season laid a strong foundation for what promises to be a defining second season for the club. Abdulla Saeed Juma Al-Naboodah, chairman and founder of Dubai Basketball, said: 'I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council for their unwavering support. Their vision and commitment have been instrumental in making the success of Dubai Basketball possible.' And, coached by Jurica Golemac, Dubai Basketball are now set to make their EuroLeague debut in 2025-26, going head-to-head with some of the most celebrated basketball teams in what is widely recognized as one of the toughest leagues in the world. Facing the likes of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and reigning champions Fenerbahce, Dubai Basketball will bring top-tier European basketball to the Coca-Cola Arena from September to June. Dejan Kamenjasevic, the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Dubai Basketball, said: 'Dubai Basketball is not an instant project; it has taken us years to reach the point we are at today. But it brings me great pride to say that this team is an instant success. 'Credit goes to our coaches, players and all Dubai Basketball employees, who worked hard to convert this dream to a reality. Now, with EuroLeague ahead, we have even more to show. 'We're building something this city has never seen before, and we're excited to make history while growing the Dubai Basketball family.' Dubai Basketball attracted nearly 80,000 fans to the Coca-Cola Arena in their first season, paving the way for a new era for the sport in the region. As the only Middle Eastern team represented in the ABA League last season, Dubai had something to prove from day one. Backed by a passionate and growing fan base, the club continue to be fueled by the belief and support of the community. The side have firmly established themselves as top contenders in European basketball. With a seasoned coach who brings both professional playing experience and leadership at the highest levels of European basketball, and a talented roster including players fresh from the NBA and the EuroLeague, the team's story is just beginning. All home games will continue to be held at the Coca-Cola Arena, which boasts a capacity of 15,000 in its basketball format. As the club enter the longest season in EuroLeague history, they will welcome Europe's strongest teams to the heart of the city — marking a major milestone for basketball in the UAE and the entire region.
The National
13 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Dubai Basketball to join EuroLeague as 'dream becomes a reality'
Dubai Basketball will join the EuroLeague on a five-year contract from September 2025, just a year after being founded. The competition, regarded as one of the toughest basketball leagues in the world, announced its expansion from 18 to 20 teams in late May. Dubai Basketball has now been confirmed as one of the two new teams to secure a slot to play in the 2025/26 EuroLeague season. In a stellar debut campaign in the ABA League – where the team reached the play-off semi-finals before being halted by Partizan – Dubai Basketball showed the huge potential for the sport in the emirate. Not only did they excel on the court, they made the Coca-Cola Arena their home, attracting crowds in excess of 5,000 fans. 'I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council for their unwavering support,' Abdulla Saeed Juma Al Naboodah, chairman and Founder of Dubai Basketball, said. 'Their vision and commitment have been instrumental in making the success of Dubai Basketball possible.' The team, under the stewardship of head coach Jurica Golemac, will now take a huge step forward in a competition boasting the elite of European basketball. The move also deepens the UAE's ties with the EuroLeague, with the 2025 finals having been staged at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in May. Istanbul giants Fenerbahce were crowned champions in front of a sold out arena on Yas Island. As well as Fenerbahce, Dubai Basketball will face the likes of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos as the club brings top-tier European basketball to Coca-Cola Arena from September 2025 to June 2026. Co-Chief Executive Officer Dejan Kamenjasevic said this latest step follows years of hard work to get the project off the ground. 'Dubai Basketball is not an instant project – it has taken us years to reach the point we are in today,' he said. 'But it brings me great pride to say that this team is an instant success [on the court]. Credit goes to our coaches, players and all Dubai Basketball employees who worked hard to convert this dream to a reality. 'Now, with EuroLeague ahead, we have even more to show. We're building something this city has never seen before, and we're excited to make history while growing the Dubai Basketball family.' In just their first season, Dubai Basketball attracted a total of nearly 80,000 fans to Coca-Cola Arena, paving the way for a new era for the sport in the emirate. That fan base is expected to grow next season, with the team's home arena boasting a capacity of 15,000 in its basketball format. Fans can register to attend 2025/26 season games through the Coca-Cola Arena website, with full season passes available in July.
Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
EuroLeague: Dubai Basketball to face Real Madrid, Barcelona at Coca-Cola Arena
Widely recognised as one of the toughest basketball leagues in the world, EuroLeague announced its expansion from 18 to 20 teams in late May. Dubai Basketball has now been confirmed as one of the two new teams to secure the coveted slot to play in the 2025/26 EuroLeague season. Following a historical debut season in ABA League – where Dubai Basketball climbed to the playoff semifinals before being halted by European powerhouse Partizan – the team captured the attention of thousands worldwide. Although their campaign ended shy of the final finishing in third overall, the season laid a powerful foundation for what promises to be a defining season for the club. 'I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council for their unwavering support. Their vision and commitment have been instrumental in making the success of Dubai Basketball possible,' said Abdulla Saeed Juma Al Naboodah, Chairman and Founder. Coached by Jurica Golemac, Dubai Basketball is set to make its EuroLeague debut in the 2025/26 season, going head-to-head with some of the most celebrated basketball teams in the world. Facing the likes of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and reigning champions Fenerbahce, among other elite clubs — Dubai Basketball will bring top-tier European basketball to Coca-Cola Arena from September to June. Co-founded by visionary and Co-Chief Executive Officer Dejan Kamenjašević, Dubai Basketball is the product of his years of experience and deep passion for the game. Dejan has been a driving force behind the club's rapid rise. 'Dubai Basketball is not an instant project; it has taken us years to reach the point we are in today. But it brings me great pride to say that this team is an instant success,' said Kamenjašević. 'Credit goes to our coaches, players and all Dubai Basketball employees who worked hard to convert this dream to a reality. Now, with EuroLeague ahead, we have even more to show. We're building something this city has never seen before, and we're excited to make history while growing the Dubai Basketball family.' In just their first season, Dubai Basketball attracted nearly 80,000 fans to Coca-Cola Arena, paving the way for a new era for the sport in the region. As the only Middle Eastern team represented in ABA League last season, Dubai had something to prove from day one. Backed by a passionate and growing fan base, the club continues to be fuelled by the belief and support of its community. Over the span of a year, Dubai Basketball has firmly established itself as a top contender in European basketball. With a seasoned coach who brings both professional playing experience and leadership at the highest levels of European basketball and a talented roster including players fresh from NBA and EuroLeague, the team's story is only just beginning. All home games will continue to be held at Dubai's premier indoor venue, Coca-Cola Arena, which boasts a capacity of 15,000 in its basketball format. As the club enters the longest season in EuroLeague history, it will welcome Europe's strongest teams to the heart of the city – marking a major milestone for basketball in the UAE and the entire region.
