Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (DUBAI)
Dubai Basketball makes its historic debut in the newly branded EuroLeague on Tuesday, hosting Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade at a nearly sold-out Coca-Cola Arena.
The game marks the official entry of the first Middle Eastern team into Europe’s premier basketball competition, a milestone both for the sport and for the region.
Not only is Dubai Basketball emerging on the European scene in the sport, but they also represent the freshly onboarded main partners of the EuroLeague – Etihad Airways and Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
“Only impossible and unimaginable things are possible here,” said the club’s co-Chief Executive Officer, Dejan Kamenjasevic, during a press conference at Emirates Towers, Dubai, in the presence of international media with Aletihad present, too.
The franchise was the result of years of preparation rather than a short-term experiment, as Kamenjasevic has repeatedly pointed out.
“Dubai Basketball is not an instant project; it has taken us years to reach the point we are at today. But it brings me great pride to say that this team is an instant success.”
Last week, details of the landmark sponsorship agreement was announced in which the logo of Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the DCT, and Etihad Airways will be seen interchangeably on jerseys and other insignia during EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup matches.
Under the four-year deal, Etihad Airways also serves as presenting partner of the Final Four. On the court, Dubai Basketball secured a five-year licence to join an expanded 20-team EuroLeague competition, with strong backing from the Dubai Sports Council as the emirate continues its strategic push into the elite tier of the sport.
“We’re building something this city has never seen before, and we’re excited to make history while growing the Dubai Basketball family,” Kamenjasevic said. “We started with just two kids in our academy in 2014 and now we are living the dream, whatever happens.”
Representing the EuroLeague, CEO Paulius Motiejunas said that Dubai Basketball deserved their place, after their remarkable debut last season in the Adriatic Basketball Association league and beating top teams on their way to the semi-finals.
“The ABA is one of the top four leagues in Europe along with EuroLeague, and to get there is commendable,” said Motiejunas, flanked by Kamenjasevic and Dubai Sports Council’s Eisa Al Marzooqi, Director of Sports Events at Dubai Sports Council.
“I was witnessing one of the games last season. Players from this team [DB] put in some great performances, that I felt as if I am watching an EuroLeague game. But when I stepped out of the [Coca-Cola] Arena, I see the tall Burj Khalifa and it hit me to see such impressive things that only the UAE can do.”
Yet, none of the parties were under any illusion as to how challenging the step up to the big league will be as the roster has been bolstered to include 16 members for a twin campaign now.
The season-opener tips off at 8pm and will provide an immediate test for the newcomers against one of the most experienced clubs in Belgrade.
Like Dubai city’s demographics, the basketball team’s cosmopolitan roster features Latvian shooter Davis Bertans and American guard Dwayne Bacon, while two-time EuroLeague champion and Turkish centre Sertac Sanli was signed two days ago.
“Nobody expected us to come into EuroLeague. But we’ve got the guys, we’ve got the talent, and we’re going to put in the time,” said Bacon, formerly with Monaco, the Final Four participants in May this year at the Etihad Arena.
“We have everything we need – the staff, the city, the support. Now we just have to combine as one and compete at the highest level.”
