Stage set for thrilling games as new season kicks off

Exciting action of FIBA 3x3 World Tour returns to Qatar as the Doha Masters 2021 tips off the new season at the state-of-the-art Al Gharafa Sports Complex today. The event will be hosted by the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) with the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee. "Strict health and safety measures and the Guidelines for the Return to Basketball, developed by the FIBA Medical Advisory Group, will be implemented throughout the event while no fans will be allowed in the venue," QBF Secretary-General Ali Al Malki said during a pre-event press conference held in Doha yesterday.

Along with Team Riga (Latvia) who clinched their maiden title three months back, a total of 14 teams, namely, Liman, Ub, NY Harlem, Princeton, Novi Sad, Amsterdam Talent & Pro, Piran, Sakiai Gulbele, Edmonton, Graz and Manila Chooks TM will join Qatari teams Lusail and Doha at the number one competition of the FIBA 3x3 professional circuit. With the return of their entire squad, including World Tour 2020 MVP Nauris Miezis, Riga, the Latvian powerhouse are considered favourites as they target their third straight World Tour win in Doha following successful campaigns in 2019 and 2020. However, plenty of tough battles can be expected at Al Gharafa court from today as Serbia's Ub, American teams NY Harlem and Princeton, two former World Tour winners, renewing rivalries in Doha. Liman and Novi Sad the two Serbian teams are also in contest. Stefan Kojic (Liman), the number three ranked player in the world, will be the one to watch among a host of top cagers. He starred at the Europe Masters 2020, leading all scorers and winning MVP. Nauris Miezis (Riga), the World Tour 2020 MVP, former Novi Sad team-mates, Dejan Majstorovic (Ub) and Dusan Bulut (Novi Sad) are also in the fray.