One hundred Filipino teams will compete in Dubai when the Kabayan Basketball League begins at Dubai Sports World on August 1.
Matches will be held on August 1, 2 and 8 at Dubai Sports World inside Dubai World Trade Centre. The final stages will move to Shabab Al Ahli Indoor Stadium on August 9.
The official tournament schedule lists 116 matches. The opening weekend will feature 76 first-round knockout games, followed by a 24-match pool stage and the round of 16.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place match and final will all take place at Shabab Al Ahli Indoor Stadium on the closing day.
Each team can register a 15-person group, including a coach. The competition is open to Filipino men living in the UAE who hold a valid Emirates ID.
A total of AED 25,000 will be awarded across the top four teams. The champions will receive AED 12,000, with AED 7,000 going to the runners-up. Third place carries a prize of AED 4,000, while the fourth-placed team will receive AED 2,000.
The Dubai Open Basketball Academies Tournament attracted 1,764 young players from 92 teams last year.
Organisers, LuLu Exchange chief executive Thampi Sudarsanan said:
“Basketball runs deep in the Filipino spirit and this league gives that passion a stage of its own”
“It is a place where Kabayans can compete, celebrate and come together as one.”
Spectator entry will be free. Passes can be collected from LuLu Exchange customer centres across the UAE, while an enquiries and registration desk will operate at the venues.
