A new international youth basketball tournament is heading to the Middle East, with organizers opening the door to teams from every corner of the world.
The Global Youth Championship is set to take place in either Dubai or Doha in late November or early December 2026, with the exact venue and dates still being finalized. The event will be open to boys’ and girls’ teams across four age divisions — U12, U14, U16, and U18 — with no nationality restrictions.
League founder Coach Mikey Calungcaguin said the tournament grew out of a desire to give young players more chances to compete at a high level. “We aim to be here in the Middle East to provide our children with greater opportunities for high-level competition and exposure,” he said. He added that the organizers also want to highlight the region itself, “despite the challenges we face, such as ongoing conflicts.”
Calungcaguin said the championship is being built as more than a single tournament. Teams should expect a diverse, competitive environment that brings together players, coaches, and referees from around the world with the shared goal of raising the standard of youth basketball, he said. He described the plan as an annual event rather than a one-off.
According to Calungcaguin, the tournament will also feature a coaching camp and clinic led by The Champions Class founder Coach Richard Del Rosario, along with coaches he identified as coming from Gilas Pilipinas, USA Basketball, and the Euroleague. A separate referees’ clinic will be headed by Philippine Basketball Association referee Joey Calungcaguin and Jun Bayais, working alongside what organizers described as FIBA referees from several countries.
Interested youth teams, players, coaches, and referees are asked to reach out through the tournament’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Registration details, deadlines, and any fees have not yet been announced.
Those wanting to take part can contact founder Coach Mikey Calungcaguin at +966 570080892 or gycbasketball2026@gmail.com, or tournament operations head Coach Mike Aliparo at +974 6615 2687.
