(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Kazakhstan Eyes Strong Showing at 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Kazakhstan’s U16 basketball team is set for its third consecutive appearance at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025, aiming to improve on previous finishes.
The Steppen Wolves earned their spot after sweeping the CABA Qualifiers in May in Navoi, Uzbekistan, defeating Kyrgyzstan 73-51 and host Uzbekistan 61-54. Their dominant performance makes them the sole representative from the sub-zone in the biennial youth competition.
Kazakhstan has a history of mixed results at the U16 Asia Cup. Their best showing came in 2013, reaching the quarter-finals and finishing seventh, but subsequent campaigns saw 10th place in 2022 and a team-worst 13th in 2023.
Key players like Aman Tlembay and Alexey Stepanov will be pivotal. Tlembay scored 25 points with 15 rebounds in the opener and followed with 16 points and six rebounds in the second game, while Stepanov averaged 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Chingiz Bissengaliyev added 36 rebounds across the two matches, showcasing the team’s strength on the boards.
With momentum from the qualifiers, Kazakhstan aims to make a deeper run and improve on past campaigns at this year’s tournament.
