The World School Basketball Championships returned in style as the event took place at the stunning L’Alqueria del Basket in Valencia last weekend. With 26 teams from 11 countries taking part over three days in U16 Boys, U16 Girls and U19 Boys categories, the competition’s first outing in Valencia was a huge success with more nations represented than ever before. On a sunny weekend in Spain, things got underway on Friday evening with the event’s opening ceremony and curtain raiser matches taking place on the venue’s show court – which is used as a training base for Valencia Basket’s men’s and women’s first team squads. The stands of L’Alqueria del Basket were packed as players, coaches and spectators cheered on their schools who were paraded onto the court with the national flag of their countries. There was a special appearance by World School Games Event Series official mascot Atlas the Eagle before Dubai International

The World School Basketball Championships makes its return this week in a brand-new host country as teams from across the globe travel to Valencia, Spain in a bid to take the silverware home. Following two editions of the competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the event has a new home in one of Europe’s most passionate basketball nations. L’Alqueria del Basket plays host to Valencia Basket’s men’s and women’s professional teams, with nine indoor and four outdoor courts, and the 9,000-seater Pavelló Municipal Font de Sant Lluís is situated next door. Boys teams will compete in U16 and U19 age groups, with girls taking part in an U16 competition across three days of action in Valencia this weekend. British International School Cairo put in an impressive showing at New York University in Abu Dhabi last year – crowned champions in every age group – and they’ll be looking to keep hold of the trophies they