Aussies win Fazza Championships

Australia powered their way to a 67-60 win over a gutsy Iraq in the final of the fourth Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball Championships that concluded at Al Ahli Club's indoor hall late on Wednesday. Australia were the better side, but it was a determined display from the Iraqis that kept the men from Down Under at bay. Ultimately, it was the superior experience of Australia that counted as they kept their nerve during the crucial final quarter. Meanwhile, Japan claimed the third spot with an easy 68-40 win over Saudi Arabia, while the UAE had to settle for sixth following their 55-34 loss to Malaysia. The UAE started off well with a win over Oman, but a narrow loss to Saudi Arabia dented their chances. Kuwait took seventh place with a 70-41 drubbing of Oman, who finished last. Eight teams took part in the championships, which are held each year under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council. This was the fourth and final stage of the 2012 Fazza International Special Needs Championships organised under the auspices of the DSC by a higher organising committee headed by Thani Balraqaad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Sports Club for Special Needs.