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Lebanese Basketball is one of the most popular sports that is played here. The National Basketball Team of Lebanon has participated in Asian as well as World Championships. The basketball clubs of Lebanon also contribute to the development of Lebanese Basketball.
The advent of the game of basketball in Lebanon was in the mid twenties with a game played in the American University of Beirut. The first endeavor of establishing the Lebanese Basketball Federation in 1949 with the Lebanese Volleyball Federation was not successful and the two separated. In 1955 the Lebanese Basketball Federation was re-established as a separate organization.
The Lebanese Basketball Championship was organized from 1951 till 1975. The war in the country disturbed the development of Lebanese basketball. However, competitions were regularly arranged. The Riyadi Team gained the 3rd position in the Asian Championship in 1997. In 1998, the club Sagesse won the Arab Club Championship. Sagesse also won the Asian Championship for clubs in the next year and retained the Arab Club Championship as well.
The new group of people heading the Lebanese Basketball Federation have formed policies to achieve more popularity for this sport. The improvement of the National Teams as well as providing help and support to the Lebanese Basketball Clubs are important parts of their schemes. The National Teams for men, women, young men and junior men are being coached by the best in the field.
The contribution of the Clubs in Lebanese Basketball is also of great importance. They have helped in the popularizing the game throughout the country. The talents of individual players have been highlighted by their participation in the club tournaments.
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