BEIRUT (Lebanon) - One of the FIBA West Asia Super League's (WASL) founding teams is back to compete.
This, as Kazma are all set to co-represent Kuwait anew in the 2025-26 Gulf League competitions.
FIBA WASL history
A club that's been in existence for over 60 years, the team known for its bright orange kits was among the teams that helped usher a new era of pan-regional competition in this region during the 2022-23 inaugurals.
From there, the organization showed that they deserve their place among the best, going as far as the WASL-Gulf Semi-Finals during Season 2 which culminated with a breakthrough Final 8 appearance in Doha, Qatar.
That was a big turnaround for Kazma after a heartbreaking finish to their Season 1, in which they moved a win away from the Sub-Zone League Semi-Finals only to lose to Manama in the Qualification to Semi-Finals.
Qualifying path
Kazma, of course, wanted to make it three WASL stints in a row but fell short of doing so after placing just third during the 2023-24 Kuwaiti Division 1 Basketball League, thus missing the 2024-25 games altogether.
But that only fueled their ambition for the following season, leading to a return to their local league's Final - and a return as well to the league owned and operated by FIBA for the 2025-26 festivities that opens October 13.
There, they will be representing the country together with former two-time WASL-Gulf League champions Kuwait Club, bringing some Season 1 vibes as the two were among the contest's pioneering squads.
Players to watch
Kazma injected more veteran presence to their lineup by acquiring the services of Hussain Alkhabbaz, who previously suited up for Kuwait Club and even served as the powerhouse's team captain.
The club has also signed up Phil Greene IV, who previously suited up for Al Qadsia SC and has grown even more familiar with his new team after suiting up for them in the recent Arab Basketball Championship.
With these key acquisitions, the locals would surely flourish even more such as Ahmad Albaloushi, who's been with the team for a while now - he was actually part of the Kazma batch that played back in WASL's first season.
Kazma are drawn in Group A together with defending Gulf League champions Shabab Al Ahli, Ittihad Club, and Muharraq Club. To know more about their upcoming 2025-26 WASL campaign, click here.
FIBA