BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The spotlight is currently on Qatar as of the moment with the FIFA World Cup being played in the country.

Early next year in February, the sports world will continue to have its place in the Gulf when the Group E games of the Second Round of FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Pre-Qualifiers commence from 20-22 February 2022.

"We needed in our region a competition like WASL." - Faisal Abuissa

 In between all of that, basketball in Qatar will also have another chance to shine as Al Sadd takes the stage in the inaugural WASL Gulf League with the opening game being on 20 December.

Al Sadd earned their spot in WASL Gulf League by winning the Qatari Basketball League this past season, edging out Al Gharafa in the Final series. The title was Al Sadd’s sixth ever in the history of the franchise, but was only their first since 2013 and only second in over 25 years.

One of the reasons for Al Sadd’s recent surge to the top is their collection of up-and-coming talents on the Qatar national team, whether it’s the likes of Babacar Dieng or Faisal Abuissa.

These young talents, along with others on the team, are expected to be the core of the team down the road which is why playing in these WASL Gulf League games will mean so much.

"We will benefit a lot by getting the chance to compete with a higher level competition and allow the players to gain more experience," said Abuissa, who averaged 11.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in the Qatari Basketball League last season.

The 1.88M (6'2") guard also plays for the national team with appearances in both the Asia Cup 2022 Qualifiers and Asia Cup 2025 Pre-Qualifiers. It’s clear that he hopes these valuable games in WASL Gulf League will help raise his game for more opportunities in the future.

However, Abuissa knows that this competition will not only benefit just himself or his team, but the entire region in general.

"It is a great opportunity to interact with other countries and clubs which will help us all become better."

"We needed in our region a competition like WASL."

This inaugural season will progress in the Group Stage with all teams in the same group playing against each other in a home-and-away format. At the end of the Group Stage, the first-place teams in each group will advance directly to the Semi-Finals. The second- and third-place teams will crossover to play in the Qualification to Semi-Finals match-ups.

The immediate challenge ahead is in Group B of the competition where Abuissa and Al Sadd will be facing other championship-caliber teams in the region from Al Manama of Bahrain, Kuwait Club of Kuwait, and Al Nasr Riyadh from Saudi Arabia.

"It is a tough group but I believe Al Sadd will advance," Abuissa boldly claims.

There won’t be an easy game against any of these teams and it will only get tougher when Al Sadd and Abuissa have to play away games in each of the respective countries. But that’s a challenge that they are looking forward to face and overcome.

"Playing in the different atmospheres is always good for players because throughout your career you will play in many atmospheres whether hostile or supportive," he said.

For Al Sadd to advance as Abuissa has prophesied, he and his teammates will have to bring their A-game.

And that's certainly what the Qatar basketball fans will be waiting to see.

FIBA