The following statement was issued by the Lebanese Basketball Federation: It is no coincidence that Lebanese basketball has achieved another major international accomplishment by winning the Asian Clubs Championship, with Al-Riyadi (Beirut) leading the clubs of the Asian continent without a single loss.
Al-Riyadi's continental achievement came this year after winning the Dubai Tournament, the West Asian Championship, and the finals of the Final Eight for the West Asia region following an exciting final against its Lebanese counterpart, Club Hoops. Additionally, they claimed the Lebanese Championship title. The concept of Lebanese basketball continues to prove that it is the strongest in the West Asia region and in Asia, as the Lebanese men's national team previously finished as runners-up against champions Australia, losing by a single basket in the Asian Nations Championship that took place two years ago in Indonesia.
Now, Lebanon's national team stands on the verge of qualifying for the Olympic Games to be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11 of this year. Al-Riyadi, led by the capable coach Ahmed Fran, who deserves recognition for his clear technical impact as the head of the coaching staff, has shown that it belongs to the category of great Lebanese clubs, dominating tournaments and championships and earning individual titles for its players, especially with the selection of player Wael Arakji as the best player in the Asian Clubs Championship last Saturday, mirroring his previous selection as the best player in the Asian Nations Championship two years ago.
These external achievements are merely evidence of the level that Lebanese basketball has reached in terms of both national teams and clubs. The participation of three Lebanese national teams in last year's World Championship finals is further proof of the correct strategy adopted by the Lebanese Basketball Federation for several years.
In this context, the President of the Lebanese Basketball Federation, Mr. Akram Halabi, and the members of the federation extend their heartfelt congratulations on the continental achievement of Al-Riyadi (Beirut), who won the Asian Clubs Championship title once again without any losses, demonstrating the "superiority" of Lebanese basketball, which garners the attention of Lebanese people both domestically and abroad, and has become a source of hope for the people of our beloved country, Lebanon, amid the long dark tunnel that it faces.
On behalf of the Lebanese basketball family, congratulations to the management of Al-Riyadi (Beirut), headed by my friend Mazen Tabara, the coaching staff, the players, and the large audience that supports the team in this achievement. The concept of Lebanese basketball remains perhaps the sole outlet for the Lebanese people in light of the dire circumstances on all fronts.
With your continental title, you have once again raised the flag of the homeland, and we look forward to more successes for the game of basketball, which has become a significant part of the nation, especially since Al-Riyadi will represent the Asian continent in the World Club Championship in a few months, with the hope of fulfilling its ambitions and those of every Lebanese in this great global event.
Lebanese Basketball Federation