Duhok Sports Club has been crowned champion of the Iraqi First Division Basketball League for the 2025–2026 season after defeating Al-Nu’maniya 93–42 in the final on Saturday evening at the Duhok Sports Club arena.
Duhok dominated the final, securing a 51-point victory to lift the championship trophy. Al-Nu’maniya finished the season as runners-up.
In the third-place match, Al-Tadamon of Najaf defeated Aso 68–33 to claim third place, while Aso finished fourth.
The two finalists had already secured promotion to Iraq’s Professional League for the upcoming season by reaching the final, regardless of the championship result.
Duhok reached the final after defeating Al-Tadamon 63–47 in Friday’s semifinal, while Al-Nu’maniya advanced by beating Aso 63–59.
A long-awaited return to Iraq’s top flight
Duhok’s championship capped a remarkable campaign and marked the club’s return to Iraq’s top-flight basketball division after a 12-year absence.
The semifinal victory sparked celebrations among Duhok players, coaches and supporters, as the club secured promotion to the Iraqi Basketball Premier League. The achievement represents a significant milestone for a club with a long and successful basketball tradition in the Kurdistan Region.
Duhok’s promotion campaign was built largely around homegrown talent. The club placed strong emphasis on players developed through its youth system rather than relying primarily on outside transfers. The team also benefited from local coaching staff, including Captain Miqdad and Captain Samir.
The team recorded several impressive results throughout the competition, including an 82–32 victory over Qalat Sukkar during the group stage.
Reflecting on the achievement, Dr. Abdullah Jalal, president of Duhok Sports Club, praised the players and coaching staff for their commitment throughout the campaign.
“I cannot fully describe the feeling when you dedicate so much effort to a goal and finally see the fruits of that labor. We owe tremendous gratitude to our coaching staff for their tireless work in building this unit,” Dr. Jalal said during the celebrations.
The return to the top division marks a major revival for Duhok SC, one of the most decorated basketball clubs in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The club has won five Iraqi Premier League championships, five Iraqi Cup titles and three Iraqi Super Cup titles, in addition to earning a bronze medal at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
After more than a decade away from Iraq’s highest level, Duhok will now return to the Premier League as First Division champions. The success also highlights the club’s investment in local players and youth development.
For Duhok supporters, the championship and promotion mark the beginning of a new chapter for the club, restoring Duhok’s place among Iraq’s basketball elite and raising hopes of a return to sustained success at the highest level.
