JORDAN COMPLETE FIRST VENTURE ONTO 3x3 WORLD STAGE

 Jordan have completed a tough introduction to the world stage of 3x3 basketball, but can return home from the FIBA U18 World Cup in Chengdu, China, with their heads held high.

The sport was only re-established in the Kingdom four months ago and their participation in the World Cup was confirmed just last week after receiving a late invitation from FIBA – the sport’s governing body – due to Kyrgyzstan pulling out.

And their underdog mission was not made any easier when key player Abdullah Al Sawalhi injured his knee during the first game against Romania in Group D.

They went on to lose that match 18-9, but with one player down meaning that they were unable to call on a substitute, the young legs tired during the rest of the three games.

A 21-3 defeat followed against the hugely impressive Belgium and further defeats against Indonesia (21-9) and Uganda (15-7) concluded their world debut.

In the latter two games Mohammed Abu Quora volunteered to play through the pain barrier after picking up a leg injury.

The team earned praise from the Chinese crowd by showing some flashes of brilliance to prove that Jordan has the potential to compete with the world’s best.

“We can proud of the boys,” said coach, Yousef Abu Baker.

“The injuries meant we were really up against it but they showed great courage to compete against some of the best young players in the world, and this experience will be important as we expand the sport in Jordan.”

Belgium and Romania advanced to the quarter-finals from the group.