DUBAI: Dubai Basketball, a newly established sports team, has announced an exclusive partnership with the Coca-Cola Arena, designating it as their home venue. This deal marks a significant milestone as Dubai’s first sports franchise team becomes the official anchor tenant of the Arena, bringing international professional basketball to the city.
Chairman and Owner Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah envisions Dubai Basketball joining the prestigious EuroLeague. Initially, the team will compete in the 16-team ABA (Adriatic) League, attracting European basketball stars to Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.
Salem bin Dasmal, President of Dubai Basketball, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. He highlighted the Arena’s 15,000-seat capacity as perfect for providing world-class basketball experiences to fans. This collaboration will allow fans to witness top European teams in action at the Arena during the nine-month season. Dubai Basketball will face top clubs like Partizan and KK Crvena Zvezda.
The ABA League games will commence in September 2024, with the full schedule to be announced soon on www.coca-cola-arena.com. This partnership aims to enhance Dubai’s basketball scene, foster community engagement, and promote sports culture across the Middle East.
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Mark Jan Kar, General Manager of Coca-Cola Arena, emphasised the importance of creating a premier home court for players and fans. This collaboration is expected to elevate Dubai’s sports culture.
Dubai Basketball aims to establish a strong presence in the EuroLeague, organise events like the EuroLeague SuperCup, and host a Sports Business Summit to enhance its international reputation. Over the years, the team plans to strengthen its competitive position, increase game attendance, and achieve a top-10 EuroLeague qualification.
Jurica Golemac, the new head coach, brings extensive experience as a player and coach, marking a significant step for the club’s pursuit of basketball excellence. Dubai Basketball is also focused on developing the game locally, building a fan base, and nurturing youth teams with a state-of-the-art training facility. The team is laying the groundwork for a youth programme and preparing for future EuroLeague participation, including launching the Regional League.
