Invitation Booklet – DOBA 2026 Term 1 – Dubai Open for Basketball Academies

About

What is DOBA?

Dubai Open for Basketball Academies is the UAE’s premier youth basketball competition, created to unite the top-performing private academies under one structured, competitive platform.

Launched in 2018, DOBA has become more than just a tournament — it’s a development pipeline, a media-driven league, and a community for future basketball talent.

Our mission

To create a high-standard basketball ecosystem that balances player development, competition, media exposure and educational impact — all under the regulation of the Dubai Sports Council and the UAE Basketball Association.

Governance

Official endorsement & governance

Organised under the supervision of the Dubai Sports Council, ensuring top-level compliance and professionalism.

The UAE Basketball Association appoints referees and oversees clinics, supporting fairness and player development across all events.

Talent Identification Program – Dubai Sports Council: a new initiative to identify and nurture youth talent across the UAE. The programme supports long-term player growth; more details are announced during the season.

Sports Mania, the operational partner, is a regional leader in sports events and development across KSA, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Lebanon — organising professional and amateur basketball, football and padel leagues, inter-company competitions, team-building events and all-ages leagues.

Calendar

One season, one calendar

August 20, 2026

Registration for teams and players
September 14, 2026

Registration Deadline
September 22, 2026

Press Conference & Technical Meeting at Dubai Sports Council Office
September 26, 2026

Tip-off
December 13, 2026

Finals

All official holidays and school breaks are game-free.

Format

League structure

As event organisers, we are finalising age-and-stage appropriate playing guidelines for six distinct age groups across both boys and girls divisions. These guidelines define clear playing rules, equipment standards and competition structures.

By establishing consistent standards, we are committed to ensuring a fair, safe and supportive environment for every player.

A player in the girls’ division bringing the ball up court

A player in the boys’ division calling a play

01

2018 – 2019

U8

Mixed

02

2016 – 2017

U10

Mixed

03

2014 – 2015

U12

Boys & Girls

04

2012 – 2013

U14

Boys & Girls

05

2010 – 2011

U16

Boys & Girls

06

2006 – 2009

U20

Boys & Girls

Expected numbers for 2026 Term 1

500+

Games

120+

Teams

2,200+

Players

30+

Academies & clubs

Where we come from

Track record

Season 2024 / 2025 — Term 1

120+ games played
1,200+ players
18 participating clubs & academies
77 participating teams
4 players identified for the DSC Talent Identification Program

Season 2024 / 2025 — Term 2

422 games played
1,500+ players
22 participating clubs & academies
87 participating teams
18 players identified for the DSC Talent Identification Program

Season 2026

560+ games played
1,900+ players
22 participating clubs & academies
103 participating teams
12 players identified for the DSC Talent Identification Program

Technical overview

Technical overview — game conditions

Condition	U8	U10	U12	U14	U16	U20
Match duration	4×10 min running time	4×10 min running time	4×10 min running time	4×10 min stop time	4×10 min stop time	4×10 min stop time
Referees	2	2	2	2	2	2
Defense	Man to man	Man to man	Man to man	Man to man	Open	Open
Basket height	2.60 m	2.60 m	3.05 m	3.05 m	3.05 m	3.05 m
Ball size — boys	5	5	6	7	7	7
Ball size — girls	5	5	6	6	6	6

Regulations

Rules & regulations

FIBA rules and regulations are enforced throughout the league, with the adjustments below.

A coach directing his team from the sideline

01General rules

Referees are from the UAE Basketball Association and are impartial towards all teams and players.
All teams’ jerseys must be identical, including shorts; players with different jerseys will not be permitted to participate.
Each team must have two uniforms — one dark and one light.
Only 12 players are listed on the roster on game day and on the scoresheet.
All registered players must submit a valid copy of their Emirates ID upon registration.
Academies submit a player list of up to 15 players per team before the league starts; the limit cannot be exceeded.

02Game regulations & discipline

Punctuality: teams must adhere to the scheduled game dates and times. Arriving more than 15 minutes late is an automatic forfeit, recorded as a 20–0 loss; not attending is also a 20–0 forfeit.
Points system: winning team 2 points, losing team 1 point, no-show or late forfeit 0 points.
Code of conduct — players: any misconduct (fighting, inappropriate behaviour, offensive language) leads to disciplinary action, from a one-game suspension up to a tournament-wide suspension. Immediate suspensions apply for a direct ejection or two technical fouls in a game.
Code of conduct — parents: clubs and academies are responsible for their parents’ conduct; coaches and team managers are contacted during the game and immediate action is taken.
Tiebreaker (group stage): head-to-head results between the tied teams decide the ranking.

03Mini basketball (U8 – U10 – U12)

Team roster per game: minimum 8 and maximum 12 players listed.
Rotation: every player must play at least one quarter and no player may play more than three quarters.
Mandatory participation: everyone on the scoresheet at the start plays at least one quarter.
Insufficient players: with fewer than 8 the game is played but automatically counted as a loss; if both teams have fewer than 8, the game proceeds and each team is awarded 1 point.
Injury or foul-out: the replacement is selected by the team’s coach, written on the scoresheet, and counts as having played a full quarter.
Score-freezing (+20 points): both coaches may agree to freeze the score and allow free substitutions for development; the official score is still recorded.
Defense: zone defense and zone press are not allowed — only man-to-man, at all times.
Stat sheet: no stats are recorded for U8, U10 and U12; only official scoresheets are kept.

04Man-to-man defense guidelines (mini basketball)

Each defender guards one offensive player at all times, staying within arm’s length.
Show and recover outside the paint is allowed to stop dribble penetration, provided the helper leaves briefly, recovers immediately and no double-team occurs outside the key.
Inside the paint defenders may challenge shots, protect the rim and defend players who have beaten their defender — then help and recover to their own assignment.

05Enforcement & coaching emphasis

Referees monitor perimeter defense closely: verbal warning first, then stopping play and applying penalties for repeated illegal double-teams.
Penalties for illegal double-teams outside the key: 1st offense — official warning; 2nd — possession to the opponent; subsequent — technical foul.
Coaches instruct players to help inside the key and recover quickly, emphasise individual accountability, and design drills for communication, positioning and quick recovery — promoting sportsmanship and the “help and recover” concept.

06U14 game rules

Man-to-man defense only — zone defense is strictly prohibited.
Help defense is permitted, but players must recover quickly to their assigned player.
Game clock stops for all dead-ball situations: fouls, violations, timeouts and substitutions.
Full individual player and team statistics are recorded and provided after each game.

Where we play