MANAMA (Bahrain) – As a result of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers Draw, Bahrain saw their name stacked together along with Lebanon, Iraq, and India in Group D. There is no room for complacency with 24 of the best teams in Asia competing for a spot at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021, a fact that is confirmed by Bahrain's star forward, Mohamed Kawaid.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for us especially since we will meet Lebanon who are considered to be one of the top teams in Asia,” Kawaid says.

Kawaid was among one of the players to have played with the national team at the FIBA Asia Cup in 2013, averaging a well-rounded 9.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. The 29-year-old forward was just as effective at the West Region Pre-Qualifiers, leading Bahrain with 13.3 points per game to go with 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest.

He knows how high the level of competition is and what it will take to get there. Facing Lebanon is a tall task on it's own, but Kawaid acknowledges that it doesn't get  easier for Bahrain against the other teams.

“Iraq and India will not be easy teams,” admits Kawaid. “we have to develop ourselves more and keep fighting for a direct ticket to [Asia Cup] 2021.”

Kawaid might be looking forward to Bahrain’s match against India in particular. The two nations faced each other twice at the 2013 Asia Cup, splitting the wins between themselves. Kawaid starred in the first match-up, scoring 25 points on a perfect 11-11 free-throw shooting showout in the 82-80 overtime win. He played in only 12 minutes in the second game, resulting in a 75-65 loss for Bahrain.

Bahrain qualified to play at the Asia Cup Qualifiers after their finish at the West Region Pre-Qualifiers late last year. They haven’t been to the Asia Cup since 2013 and are hoping to ace the Qualifiers for the opportunity to play in 2021.

“We have some young players with lots of passion,” Kawaid adds. “I’m sure we will gain a lot of experience from every game in the Qualifiers.”

Adding on to the excitement towards the Bahrain’s future is the recent appointment of head coach Josep Clarós, also known as “Pep”. The 50-year-old tactician had previously spent two seasons coaching in Bahrain for club teams, Al-Manama (2016-2017, champions) and Al-Muharraq (2015-2016), among stints in other countries such as Japan and the Netherlands.

Clarós fills in a vacancy left by previous coach Salman Ramadan, whose contract with the national squad expired earlier this year. His selection comes under the directives of BBA president Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

FIBA