51 years of insistence .. Yassi dreams of the global coronation in the “wheelchair basket”

The player of Al -Thiqa Club for the Disabled Tariq Al -Yassi, 51, continues his journey with basketball on wheelchairs, for the 32nd year in a row, with aspirations that are still looking for continental and international titles, after a march full of Gulf titles, and Arab and regional crowds.

Al -Yassi said, in a statement to «Emirates Today»: “My career extends for 32 years, including 28 years in the national team shirt, I witnessed the achievement of many achievements, most notably gold in the Gulf championships, the rise of coronation platforms in the Arab championships and (West Asia), and with the approach of the 51 years, I still have desire and ambition to achieve greater achievements on the continental scene, and perhaps global.”

He added: “The idea of retirement is still far, especially in light of the emergence of a promising young generation in the game, which reflects the development of the local league level, unlike the beginnings in which we faced difficulties in regular championships. Today we have a regular league that meets the aspirations.”

Al -Yassi reviewed his most prominent achievements with the national team, saying: “We have achieved the Gulf title twice in a row in Fazza International Championships in 2009 and 2010, then we waited until 2022 to rise to the regional coronation platform with a bronze (West Asia) in Bahrain, and we invested the development of the local league to achieve in 2024 gold (West Asia), and we also won the Arab Championship silver in the Games in Algeria.”

Regarding his move to the technical side, he said: “Since 2023, I began to perform the duties of the assistant coach, in addition to continuing as a player and captain (captain) for the team on the field, where I am keen to direct the players to warm up and during the matches, taking advantage of my long experience in the game.”

Al -Yassi explained that this year witnessed a new historic station, and said: “We participated last month, for the first time, in continental competitions with basketball (3 against 3), and we succeeded in occupying the fifth place in the Asian and Oceania Championship, which was held in China on June 21 and 22.”

Al -Yassi concluded his speech by saying: “The second half of this year is crowded with continental participation and Paralympic championships, which constitute the gateway to qualify for the World Cup. I look forward to continuing giving alongside my colleagues, and raising the state flag in international forums.