Thamer Al-Shanfa

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 29: The 62nd edition of the Kuwait Basketball League tips off with two opening matches at Union Hall in the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Complex. Al-Sulaibikhat faces Kazma at 5:00 pm, followed by Al-Arabi against Al-Yarmouk at 7:00 pm.

This season, nine clubs are competing, including defending champion Kuwait Club, Al-Qadsiya, Kazma, Al-Arabi, Al-Qurain, and Yarmouk. The league follows a two-division format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals. In the semi-final stage, the first-place team faces the fourth, and the second-place team faces the third in a best-of-three playoff format. Winners proceed to the final round, also in a playoff format but with five games, where the team securing three wins will claim the championship.

Thamer Al-Shanfa, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation, announced that the competition will follow a two-division merger format, with the top four teams progressing to the “golden square” to vie for the title. Teams finishing in fifth to ninth place will compete in a separate group to determine rankings.|
Al-Shanfa confirmed that the Federation’s competition committees and referees are fully prepared, expecting this season to showcase high-level play due to strong technical preparations by the clubs. He highlighted the Federation’s collaboration with clubs to ensure successful local championships that strengthen players and benefit the national teams. Additionally, the Federation has scheduled the Super Cup match between Kuwait and Al-Qadsia for November 27.

The league began in the 1961-1962 season with six clubs. Al-Qadsiya has won the title 23 times, followed by Kuwait Club with 15 titles, Kazma with 9, Al-Arabi with 8, Al-Jahra with 5, and Al-Sahel with one. The league's 2000-2001 season was canceled, with no champion declared.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff