Doha, January 10 (QNA) - The first Girls Buds Festival for basketball kicked off. The event was organized by the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) at the Union Hall as part of the 2025-2026 sports season activities. The festival took place in an enthusiastic atmosphere with remarkable participation from the young female players and in the presence and support of the QBF officials.

The inaugural festival witnessed outstanding participation from the young girls, who delivered encouraging performances that reflected the significant work being done in clubs and schools. The event was marked by integrated technical and administrative organization, providing a safe and motivating sports environment that combines learning, fun, and a spirit of competition.

The festival activities are scheduled to continue with new rounds on January 17, 24, and 31, 2026. The season will conclude with a final festival on February 10, 2026, coinciding with the Qatar Sports Day. This initiative reflects the Federation's commitment to embedding sports culture and promoting a healthy lifestyle in society.

This festival comes within the framework of the Federation's ongoing efforts to expand the base of sports practitioners and enhance the development of women's basketball in the State of Qatar. It focuses on early age groups, creating a new generation of promising female players capable of representing the national teams in the future. The event is supervised by a specialized technical committee and follows a well-studied plan aimed at discovering talents early and honing the skills of players at this crucial age stage.

These festivals are dedicated to female players born between 2014 and 2019, reaffirming the Federation's vision of building a broad and strong base of female players to ensure the long-term sustainability and development of women's basketball.

The QBF also emphasizes the importance of participating teams adhering to the approved administrative and organizational requirements. These include submitting player rosters before each festival, having 10 players per team, and ensuring the presence of a coach (male or female) and a supervisor (male or female) to provide the necessary technical and educational support for the players. (QNA)