Magnificent Moroccans grab gold medal

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Magnificent Moroccans grab gold medal
Winners and officials at the awards ceremony after the final of the Eighth Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.

Dubai - Great Britain came third as Billy Bridge (18) and Ben Fox (17) helped steer their side to a 53-52 overtime win in the bronze medal match against Thailand

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Published: Sat 30 Apr 2016, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 1 May 2016, 9:41 AM

Morocco were crowned champions at the Eighth Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament after an assured 73-60 victory over Japan in the final at Al Ahli Indoor Stadium, a Press release said.
Zouhair Challat and Aissa Falempe, the topscorer of the competition with 107, both registered 20-point hauls for the African nation, but their excellent individual efforts beneath the basket were surpassed by a game-high 33 from Japan's standout star Naohiro Murakami.
Great Britain came third as Billy Bridge (18) and Ben Fox (17) helped steer their side to a 53-52 overtime win in the bronze medal match against Thailand, whose endeavours on offence were spearheaded by Aekkasit Jumjarean (22). That game finished delicately poised at 48-48 in the regulation 40 minutes.
"We are, of course, very happy to have won the final of this tournament and it all boiled to our greater level of experience," commented Morocco captain Abdelhak El Hadaoui.
"Japan are a really strong team and they played very well, but it must also be remembered that they're young and we have a little bit more experience.
"We have seven players who play in Europe with teams in France, Spain and Turkey and that made all the difference in the end."
Japan coach Kazuyuki Kyoya commented: "Our young players have used this opportunity to improve a lot and I'm understandably happy about that development and progression at this tournament.
"I'm satisfied with our very good offensive skills, but I'm more concerned about the defence. We conceded more than 70 points and that is a problem we have to look at and rectify.
"I'm obviously a little bit disappointed to have lost in the final as we wanted to win the gold medals, but the good thing is that we've seen through this experience what we need to work on in the future."
Meanwhile, the UAE finished fifth with a 55-51 success over Saudi Arabia thanks to the stellar contributions of Tariq Al Yassi (20) and Mohammed Al Zarooni (18), whereas Marlon Nacita's fortuitous hook shot saw a plucky Philippines edge out Kuwait 71-70 in the seventh/eighth place play-off.
Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Dubai Club for the Disabled and the Organizing Committee for the Fazza Championships for the Disabled, commented: "The sheer standard of this event has grown exponentially year after year and that upward curve has continued with this eighth edition, which has arguably been our very best yet.
"I'd like take this opportunity to congratulate Morocco on their tournament victory and thank the six other international teams visiting us from overseas for their participation and support. We hope they have enjoyed their time in Dubai and look forward to welcoming them back here again next year."
Souad Ibrahim Darwish, director of championships at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), added: "We are proud to have supported our strategic partners at the Dubai Club for the Disabled in the successful staging of the Eighth Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament - Dubai 2016.
"This competition brings together disabled people of different nationalities in a diverse and sporting exchange all under one roof and we trust they have all been able to sample our rich Emirati culture and heritage via our on-site exhibits and the out-of-competition activities arranged throughout this year's event."


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