MENA Sports Wrap: Morocco's El Bakkali defends World Athletics Championship title

A varied Sports Wrap this week. We're taking a look at Morocco's medal success at the World Athletics Championships, a disappointing opening round of matches for MENA teams at the Basketball World Cup, and whether or not the UAE's fledgling cricket tournament might disrupt a key test series.

Athletics: Morocco’s El Bakkali defends 3000m steeplechase title at World Championships

Morocco’s Sofiane El Bakkali successfully retained his World Athletics Championships title in Budapest on Tuesday.

El Bakkali held off world record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia to secure his second successive world championship.

"I came ready and prepared and believed I could win,” Bakkali said after his victory.

"This medal gives me additional motivation for the Olympic Games in Paris. I want to win there too," he said.

Bakkali is also the reigning Olympic champion, having brought home the gold medal from Tokyo two years ago — breaking an almost three-decade-long Kenyan stranglehold on the event.

Another championship medal for Morocco came from Fatima Gardadi, who won bronze in the marathon on Saturday – the first time Morocco has ever won a medal in the event.

"I didn’t expect to get to the podium, I was targeting a top five and Paris 2024 Olympic qualification,” the 31-year-old said.

“I am very satisfied with the bronze medal. This is the beginning for my career."

Could the UAE's T20 league disrupt England's India tour?

Mark Wood, one of the fastest bowlers in the world, could miss England's vital test series with India after he was unveiled as the latest signing for UAE-based cricket team the Dubai Capitals.

The England international will compete for the club in the second edition of the International League T20, which will be held in the UAE in January 2024.

England’s first India series begins on 25 January with the second test taking place on 2 February. This would clash with the new T20 league and could force Wood to miss the tour, according to Wisden, the cricket almanac and website.

It is not clear if England international Sam Billings, who also signed for Dubai Capitals, will be selected for the India test.

He skipped the 2022 IPL tournament in India to focus on making his way into the England test side, but was not selected for England's largely successful Ashes against Australia this summer.

England batsman Joe Root, who played in the first edition of the International League T20, was also retained by Dubai Capitals.

Among the other England players unveiled by the league teams are Chris Jordan, Jamie Overton, and Chris Woakes.

The six team UAE-based tournament has attracted some of the biggest names in cricket, many who compete in the IPL which takes place in spring.

Many of the teams – including Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Sharjah Warriors, and last year's champions the Gulf Giants – are owned by the same franchises that own the big IPL teams.

While cricket is not a major sport in the UAE, it is played and followed by many of the country's South Asian expatriate community.

The UAE, like other Gulf states, are also trying to make inroads into the world of sports, as an alternative form of revenue from oil and gas, to appeal to their countries' growing youth population and as a form of soft power.

The estimated business enterprise value for the IPL in 2023 was a staggering $15.4 billion.

Basketball World Cup: Losses all round for MENA teams 

The FIBA Basketball World Cup began Friday, and with five teams from the Middle East and North Africa in the running, we were hopeful we would hear news of wins at the tournament.

But the wait for news of victory must continue, because all five teams from the region lost their opening group stage matches.

Egypt were on the back foot from the outset of their opener, losing 67-93 to Lithuania. Iran were outclassed by Brazil, losing 59-100. Lebanon were kept contained by Latvia, who won 109-70.

Jordan had a burst of brilliance in the third quarter of their game against Greece, but ultimately lost 92-71.

World Cup debutants South Sudan put in a spirited performance but were unable to hold back a resolved and more experienced Puerto Rico side, losing 96-101.

There is not long to wait for the second round of group stage matches – they begin Sunday.