Westminster student called up to represent Iraqi National Basketball Team

Hamza came to love basketball when he was around the age of 11. After playing a few times on the playground in primary school, he started watching the NBA and quickly became obsessed with the sport, along with Lakers’ star LeBron James. Since arriving at Westminster, he has joined the University’s basketball team the Westminster Dragons and has become a key member of the team.

He is set to fly out and join the Iraqi National Team for training and has been working hard to ensure he is prepared for the tournament. The FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers will see teams across Asia compete to make it to the FIBA Asia Cup in 2025. With the host Saudi Arabia automatically through, there are just 15 spots left to fight for. Hamza’s first game for the team will take place on 22 November where Iraq will face Jordan.

About making it into the team he said: “I feel a big sense of fulfilment. Playing for my country has been a goal that I’ve been working towards for a number of years now, and not only is it a huge achievement, but I also understand that competing at that level will help my development and future in basketball. I can’t wait to experience the competitive atmosphere. International basketball is one of the highest levels in the world, and you can’t replicate that type of energy anywhere else.”

Hamza is also part of the University’s Elite Athlete Programme. This initiative offers Westminster's highest performing student athletes the support and resources to help them become the very best they can be, giving them access to financial support with competition and training costs, mentoring and development, physiotherapy, sports psychology and nutrition support, fitness testing, branded kit and an opportunity to apply for the new Vice-Chancellor’s Dragons Scholarship, a grant of £5000 per year of study.

Looking to the future, Hamza hopes to continue improving and playing at the highest level. He added: “My end goal has always been to make this my career and reach the highest level of basketball that I possibly can, as long as I still have that same passion to get up every day and give all of my energy to it. 

“The Elite Athlete Programme is helping take my training to the next level and gives me the chance to constantly work on my game every day, as well as making sure my body is functioning optimally through a long season. I hope by the time I leave Westminster I have helped elevate the programme further and open doors for those who come after me to have similar and even better opportunities.”

Clive Castillo, Head Coach of the Westminster Dragons, added: "I am very proud of Hamza! Since becoming part of the programme at Westminster, he has shown professionalism and been excellent. In our early conversations during this past summer, he was very ambitious, setting goals to one day play for the Iraqi Men’s National Team. I am very proud that this moment has come so soon, it is well deserved. As Hamza is part of the Elite Athlete Programme, I am happy the University of Westminster can help support him with extra services such as soft tissue therapy, facility and gym access, strength and conditioning programmes and many more. I wish him all the best.”

The sporting opportunities available at the University of Westminster directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.  

Find out about playing for the Westminster Dragons and the opportunities available as part of the Elite Athlete Programme.