The recently formed Dubai Basketball team has entered into a special collaboration with Coca-Cola Arena, designating the venue as its home court. This landmark deal makes Dubai Basketball the primary tenant of the Coca-Cola Arena, marking a significant step towards bringing top-tier international basketball to Dubai. Spearheaded by Chairman and Owner Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah, the team's goal is to compete in the prestigious EuroLeague.
Initially, Dubai Basketball will participate in the 16-team ABA (Adriatic) League, which is expected to attract European basketball stars to the Coca-Cola Arena. Salem bin Dasmal, President of Dubai Basketball, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating, "Having the Coca-Cola Arena as our home base reflects our commitment to elevating basketball in Dubai. This partnership will enable us to provide exceptional experiences for our fans and showcase top-tier basketball talent in a premier facility."
Although the team will play its ABA League matches in Europe, Dubai will host high-caliber games during the home season, with all 15 league teams visiting the city. Dubai Basketball will compete against renowned European clubs such as Partizan and KK Crvena Zvezda, with the season kicking off in September 2024. A detailed schedule and additional information will be available on the Coca-Cola Arena's website.
Mark Jan Kar, General Manager of Coca-Cola Arena, expressed his honor in creating a dedicated home court for the team and the city, emphasizing the transformative impact of the partnership on Dubai's sports culture. The collaboration between Dubai Basketball and Coca-Cola Arena aims to significantly enhance Dubai's basketball scene, promote community engagement, and foster a sports culture in the Middle East.
By participating in the 2024-25 ABA League season, Dubai Basketball intends to establish a foothold in the EuroLeague and build a lasting fan connection. The team also plans to organize the EuroLeague SuperCup and Sports Business Summit to boost its international profile. In the coming years, Dubai Basketball aims to improve its competitive standing, increase game attendance, and expand its reach, culminating in a pursuit of top-10 qualification in the EuroLeague.
Dubai Basketball has named Jurica Golemac as the new head coach, bringing in a seasoned professional to lead the team with a fresh and dynamic approach. The team's broader objectives include fostering a basketball culture in Dubai, developing a strong fan base, and establishing a club structure with state-of-the-art training facilities for youth teams. The organization is also developing a youth program aimed at preparing for future participation in the EuroLeague, including the launch of a Regional League.
