Gulf Clubs Championship postponed and the juniors competition cancelled

The GCC basketball organising committee, chaired by Abdullatif Al Fardan, has announced the postponement of the 40th Gulf Clubs Championship because of the precautionary measures taken to combat the novel coronavirus.

The tournament had been due to run from 29 May to 6 June 2020; its new dates are 18 to 26 September 2020 in Doha.

Al Fardan explained that the postponement followed the precautionary measures taken by local governments and by local and international sporting bodies, and was agreed unanimously by the members of the Gulf organising committee.

The decision also reflects the committee's concern for the safety of everyone taking part — players, coaches, administrators, referees, organisers and media.

The committee also decided to cancel the Gulf Under-16 championship (players born in 2005 and 2006), which had been due to take place in August 2020.

The qualifying tournament for the same age group (2005-2006) is expected to be held in the summer of 2021, with the Bahrain federation retaining the right to organise it.

The committee explained that the tournament's date would be set at the organising committee's first meeting.