The World School Games are back in Valencia, and the Middle East is on court. Boys' and girls' teams at U16 and U19 have arrived at L'Alqueria del Basket for the sixth edition of the WSG Basketball Championships, with the action this weekend, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November.
It is quite a stage. L'Alqueria del Basket is the largest basketball training facility in Europe, with 13 indoor and outdoor courts. It is home to Valencia Basket's men's and women's professional teams, and sits alongside the new 20,000-seat Roig Arena.
The championships also have Gulf roots: the first edition was held in Abu Dhabi in 2019, before the event moved to Valencia in 2023.
Two Middle East schools stand out as ones to watch.
UAS: Dubai's Young Guns
Universal American School bring an U16 boys' squad to Valencia. For a young group, it is a big stage and a chance to test themselves against new styles of play, and a valuable early-season run-out for the Dubai side.
ICS Amman: The Former Champions
ICS Amman know exactly what it takes to win here. The Jordanian school are former WSG Basketball champions, and their U19 boys return to Valencia with a reputation to defend and every intention of adding to their record.
More Than the Games
The weekend opens with a ceremony and the WSG All-Star Matches, where Team Europe take on Team Rest of the World, with players from different schools lining up together in boys', girls' and even teachers' games. Group stage matches follow, before teams move into tiered knockout competitions with silverware on the line. Player of the Match and MVP awards recognise the standout performers along the way.
Off the court, there are training and masterclass sessions with professional players, a live TV show and professional event media coverage.
From Dubai to Amman, both schools carry the region's colours into a weekend of top-class school basketball. Follow Gulf Youth Sport for results from Valencia after the weekend.
Photo: WSG Events
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