Doha, April 20 (QNA) - The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) have signed a cooperation agreement with Qatari Diar, to host the Lusail 3x3 Challenger at Al Sa'ad Plaza, Lusail Boulevard, on May 2–3.

The agreement was signed in the presence of President of QBF and Director General of the LOC for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, Mohammed Saad Al Mughaiseeb, and Chief Development and Asset Management Officer of Qatari Diar, Fahad Abdullatif Al Jahrami.

The tournament will feature the participation of 16 teams representing 11 countries from across the globe, including: Toulouse (France), Liman and Partizan (Serbia), Carolina (Puerto Rico), NY Harlem (USA), Lugano (Switzerland), Kandava (Latvia), Kaunas (Lithuania), Marbella (Spain), Kigali (Rwanda), Nishinomiya (Japan), in addition to five teams from Qatar: Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Gharafa, and Al Khor.

The Lusail 3x3 Challenger will also serve as a key milestone in the Road to 2027, promoting community engagement, youth participation, and international awareness for basketball in the lead-up to the World Cup.

This agreement represents a strategic step in engaging new audiences and building momentum toward the World Cup. With the backdrop of Lusail's vibrant cityscape and Qatari Diar's cutting-edge development, the tournament promises to deliver both world-class competition and memorable fan experiences.

Commenting on the agreement, the QBF President said: "Hosting the Lusail 3x3 Challenger marks an exciting chapter in our journey towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. This event reflects our commitment to bringing basketball closer to the community through high-energy, globally recognized competitions. We are proud to work with Qatari Diar and the FIBA to deliver world-class 3x3 action to Lusail, offering fans a dynamic sporting experience while showcasing Qatar's growing role in global basketball development." (QNA)