DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - The FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) unveiled its ultimate prize ahead of the highly-anticipated Final 8.

In front of the magnificent Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the league on Thursday night showed to the world the trophy that the participating ball clubs are hoping to bring to their respective homes by the end of the June 9-17 festivities.

FIBA Regional Office-Asia Executive Director Mr. Hagop Khajirian graced the unveiling, and expressed immense pride after having witnessed yet another important development in the kind of growth he aspires to see in Asian basketball.

"We are extremely proud to have finally unveiled the FIBA West Asia Super League trophy," he said. "We at the FIBA Regional Office-Asia are all about the growth of basketball, and this is symbolic of how much the game has thrived in the region."

"To have revealed this beautiful trophy here at the City of Gold that is Dubai couldn't be any more perfect," he added. "We cannot wait for the games to start."

Also present in the unveiling were the captains of the competing teams, namely Saeed Alajmani of hosts Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai; Amir Saoud of WASL-West Asia champions Al Riyadi; Fahed Aldhafairi of WASL-Gulf titlists Kuwait Club; Mohammad Jamshidi of Gorgan; Karam Mechref of Beirut Club; Hasan Nowrooz of Manama; and Rustam Murzagaliyev of BC Astana.

The FIBA West Asia Super League trophy is inspired by the global nature of basketball and the participating teams from various parts of the region.

The sphere-shaped figure on top of the 55-centimeter prize symbolizes the globe, with the nations whose ball clubs are participating in the league represented in gold.

The lines on the sphere are an homage to the lines found on the basketball. These represent the intricacies and technicalities of the game, as well as the precision and accuracy required to play the sport at a professional level.

Meanwhile, the ring located below the sphere represents the basketball rim. This symbolizes the ultimate goal of the sport, which is to score points by shooting the ball through the hoop.

Finally, the four columns that support the trophy represent the four Sub-Zones that make up FIBA WASL -- Central Asia, South Asia, Gulf, and West Asia.

Symbolic of support, the columns also represent the league's commitment in further promoting the sport in these areas.

FIBA