Oman women clinch bronze at GCC 3x3 basketball meet in Bahrain

MUSCAT: The Oman women’s 3x3 basketball team capped their Bahrain trip with a proud podium finish, edging Kuwait 9–7 to secure the bronze medal at the GCC Championship on Friday.

It was a gritty, composed performance from a side that has grown in confidence over the past week, defending aggressively and managing the decisive moments with maturity.

Oman set the tone early, staying compact on defence and forcing Kuwait into rushed attempts. While Kuwait rallied late, the Omani quartet held firm, closing out the final minutes with disciplined ball movement and smart shot selection to seal third place.

Coach Wafa Zaghdood oversaw the campaign, guiding a squad comprising Shams Al Khonji, Fatma Al Numani, Nareen Al Maamari, Ruba Al Kalbani, Reema Al Mughairi, Zainab Al Busaidi, Malak Al Salmi, Sayyida Lamar Al Busaidi, Reem Al Shirawi, and Aisha Al Yafei.

Meanwhile, the men’s youth 3x3 team also turned in a spirited showing, narrowly missing out on a medal after a 16–14 loss to Bahrain A in the third-place playoff.

In a fast, free-scoring encounter, Oman matched the hosts basket for basket until Bahrain edged ahead in the dying seconds.

The youth squad, coached by Mohammed Al Owaisi, featured Mishal Qafqaf, Muhab Al Humaysim, Mazen Al Owaisi, Ibrahim Al Balushi, Azd Al Bahlani, Azzan Al Ajmi, Adam Al Hinai, and Akram Al Rashdi, with team manager Ghassan Al Busaidi.

Completing the national programme’s trip to Bahrain, the men’s 3x3 squad concluded their intensive camp ahead of the upcoming Arab 3x3 Basketball Championship, set to take place at Al Mouj Muscat. The men’s roster includes Ahmed Al Hilali, Hadeed Beit Bakhit, Osama Al Riyami, Abdulrahman Al Maamari, Ahmed Al Sinani, Rashid Al Zuhailmi, Ahmed Al Maamari, and Abdulrahman Al Shuaibi.