National teams director Rashid Al Naqbi is overseeing the UAE Under-15 camp in Abu Dhabi. The federation's monthly programme shifts preparation beyond the weeks before tournaments.
Gulf news coverage describes a move away from occasional pre-tournament work towards development that continues through the year. The sessions are designed to maintain technical and physical training between major competitions.
At the end of September 2026, Abu Dhabi hosted the NBA Academy Select Showcase at NYU Abu Dhabi, bringing together 32 U18 players from 14 countries.
Specialist staff lead the sessions
Rashid Al Naqbi is overseeing the camp. Technical director Dr Mounir bin Al Habib leads the coaching and administrative group, alongside coach Salem Ateeq and administrator Saif Al Suwaidi.
Players work on individual skills and coordination. The schedule is monthly.
Available Gulf-media coverage confirms the camp has begun, but has not reported a new match, tournament or official result since its launch. The federation has not specified an upcoming competition or a timetable beyond the monthly programme.
Separate reports in early October 2026 said the NBA is moving its elite academy programme from Senegal to Abu Dhabi. The planned programme would provide year-round training for promising older school-age players from the UAE, the wider Middle East and other regions.
A continuous pathway for young players
Regular development now sits at the centre of the federation's youth-team preparation. In a separate youth-basketball event, News of Bahrain reported that the Abu Dhabi showcase included individual skills work, physical preparation, life-skills sessions, combine testing, game sessions and a three-point contest.
The same focus on young competitors can be seen in other local sports, including Dubai's junior sailing season. The basketball camp, though, is built around ongoing player development rather than a single event.
Recurring camps give the federation a regular setting to identify talent and work toward a shared training approach across the youth group. In separate coverage on 2 and 3 October, UAE Cuesports reported that the national men's team was preparing for the second window of 2029 FIBA Asia Cup qualification. The question of hosting the tournament remained unresolved.
The shift is clear. Preparation is moving from tournament periods to regular work through the year. The skills and cohesion built in these repeated sessions will show the value of the approach.
