UAE’s global fans share why they love basketball’s biggest league

For basketball fans in the UAE, there is nothing bigger than the NBA.

The American Basketball League and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have announced a multi-year partnership to bring joy to many fans in the UAE. As part of the first game of the new agreement, the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks will play two preseason games against the Atlanta Hawks this week at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

John Gil Aposaga, 26, from Bacolod City, Philippines, has been an NBA fan since he was 12, when he would watch French basketball star Tony Parker play for San Antonio A game played by the Spurs. These days, he enjoys watching Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving, citing Irving’s possession and mentality on the court.

Absaga is also a point guard like Irving and Parker. He plays for Tambay in an amateur league in Abu Dhabi almost every day after get off work.

“I started playing basketball when I was 8,” he said. “The NBA is the most famous league in the world, especially in the Philippines.”

When he first heard the league was coming, he was delighted to have the chance to meet some of his favorite players, even though he won’t be able to play in the NBA this time around. “Thank you for the opportunity to play in the UAE. Please continue this world tour,” Aposaga said. “A lot of people can’t afford to go to the U.S. to watch NBA live. It’s a dream come true for those players who are there.”

Meanwhile, Harry Constantino, a 31-year-old Dubai resident from Pagadian, Philippines, shares the same enthusiasm.

“In the Philippines, we love basketball. We watch everything from local leagues to international professional leagues,” he said. “I got hooked on the NBA when I saw Kobe Bryant play.”

Like Abosaga, he continued the sport in his free time, frequently joining the Philippine and Invitational Leagues, serving as a shooting guard or forward depending on the team’s needs. He said he was already impressed by the partnership between the two parties.

“They’ve done a really good job. They’ve brought players we respect here,” he said. “As far as I can see, even before [the deal], the UAE basketball began to develop. They are already organizing invitational leagues and are starting to bring international players into local leagues as their reinforcements.

“Bringing the NBA game here will definitely raise the profile of basketball.”

However, it’s not just the Philippines that have fans ready to celebrate the NBA in the UAE. Jinshuo Ma, from China, lives and works in Abu Dhabi. He studied Arabic at the University of Sharjah and took the Arabic name Khaldun.

With the NBA’s international investments in its brand, including in China, it’s no surprise that Jack Ma is a fan. ESPN values ​​NBA China at about $5 billion.

Jack Ma said he has liked Derrick Rose for more than five years, and his favorite player is Derrick Rose. He also played basketball for the college team as a point guard in Sharjah.

NBA fans aren’t just centered around male fans. Karen Cano, 26, and her friend Luciana Reddy, 25, from Argentina, currently live in Abu Dhabi, and attended the opening day of the NBA Zone at Manarat Al Saadiyat, an event Cano called “an event”. people are amazed.”

During the pandemic, she became a fan, citing family influence, as her three older brothers are all followers of the sport. “When I heard the news that basketball was coming to Abu Dhabi, I was really excited,” Cano said.

Although she is a big fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, her favorite player is Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan.

Zach Rollins, 36, was in the fan zone with his wife Oriel and young son Colin. American families have lived in the capital since 2017, and while jet lag makes it difficult to watch games live, Rollins said if you love something, you’re going to put in the effort.

Like Cano, he credits Jordan as the player who helped him fall in love with the game. When he heard the league was coming to Abu Dhabi, he quickly secured a spot for his family.

“I immediately went to Ticketmaster to get a ticket. I just searched the internet to see if there was anything wrong,” he said. “As soon as I heard about it, I was in high spirits and ready to go. I miss going to the game.”

“It’s a great facility that they’ve picked out here. The way they’ve set it up is great and there’s something to do for the family and the kids. If anything, if the NBA comes here, I think they probably should. There’s a bigger rollout when they come because they’re going to draw crowds. And, we’ve got a whole new arena. So we’re ready for them in Abu Dhabi, so you know, bring the team .”

Updated: October 6, 2022 at 2:08 pm