Libyan basketball is making a new appearance on the international stage through the participation of Al-Ahli Tripoli and Al-Ittihad in the Dubai International Basketball Championship. The tournament will be held from January 23rd to February 1st at the Rashid bin Hamdan Hall of Al-Nasr Club in Dubai, featuring a selection of prominent Arab and international teams.
This participation comes as part of the continued notable presence of Libyan teams in foreign tournaments. Libyan clubs have become a major attraction at such sporting events due to their high technical and fan appeal, which has contributed to enhancing the standing of Libyan basketball at the Arab, African, and even international levels.
Renewed Libyan Participation and Derby Matches That Made a Difference
The participation of two Libyan teams in the Dubai International Championship is not a new precedent. The tournament has previously witnessed dual participations by Libyan clubs, including Al-Ahli Benghazi and Al-Nasr, who presented the first Libyan derby outside the country’s borders, which ended in favor of Al-Nasr at the time. Al-Ahli Benghazi and Al-Ahli Tripoli also participated in another edition, presenting an exciting classic match that was decided in favor of Al-Ahli Tripoli.
These Libyan derbies had a clear impact in increasing the excitement and technical value of the championship, prompting organizers to consistently invite Libyan clubs in successive editions, given the great popularity Libyan teams enjoy among fans.
Official Announcement of the Tournament Groups
The organizing committee of the Dubai International Basketball Championship has officially announced the group divisions, which include:
Group One (A):
Al-Ittihad (Libya) – UAE National Team – Al-Nasr (UAE) – Hittin Al-Fidaa (Syria) – Al-Wehda.
Group Two (B):
Al-Ahli Tripoli – Beirut (Lebanon) – Al-Karamah – Club Africain (Tunisia) – Philippines National Team.
Libyan Hopes for Strong Competition and Honorable Representation
Al-Ahli Tripoli and Al-Ittihad hope to deliver strong performances during the tournament and achieve positive results that reflect the notable development witnessed in Libyan basketball. This comes amid exposure to different basketball schools, which contributes to raising the players’ technical level and enhancing their competitive experience on the international stage.
The Libyan participation is receiving widespread fan follow-up, with aspirations that the Libyan teams will continue to leave their mark on the Dubai International Championship, as they have done in previous successful participations.
Al-Ahli Tripoli
Al-Ahli Tripoli is a professional football club based in Tripoli, Libya, founded in 1954. It is one of the country’s oldest and most successful clubs, with a significant fan base and a history of competing at the top level of Libyan football.
Libya
Libya is a North African country with a rich history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians and Romans, followed by centuries of Arab and Ottoman influence. In the modern era, it was an Italian colony before gaining independence in 1951, later becoming known for Muammar Gaddafi’s lengthy rule from 1969 until the 2011 civil war. The country is home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the ancient Greek city of Cyrene and the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna.
Dubai International Basketball Championship
The Dubai International Basketball Championship is an annual invitational tournament established in 2004, hosted by the United Arab Emirates. It was created to promote basketball in the region and has grown to feature top club teams from across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, often including former NBA players.
Rashid bin Hamdan Hall
Rashid bin Hamdan Hall is a prominent cultural and events venue located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. It is named after Rashid bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, a member of the ruling family, and serves as a modern hub for conferences, exhibitions, and community gatherings, reflecting the city’s development as a cultural center.
Al-Nasr Club
Al-Nasr Club is a major professional sports club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1955. It is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the country and across Asia, historically associated with the city’s Al-Washm district.
Dubai
Dubai is a major global city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, historically known as a small fishing and pearling village. Its modern transformation began with the discovery of oil in the 1960s, which funded massive infrastructure projects, leading to its current status as a hub for tourism, finance, and trade. It is now famous for ultramodern architecture, luxury shopping, and landmarks like the Burj Khalifa.
Al-Ahli Benghazi
Al-Ahli Benghazi is a major sports club in Libya, most famous for its football team, which was founded in 1947 during the era of British administration. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country, historically serving as a significant cultural and social institution in the city of Benghazi.
Al-Nasr
Al-Nasr is a district located in the eastern part of Gaza City. Historically, it was established in the 1970s as a housing project and has since grown into a densely populated residential area.
UAE National Team
The UAE National Team represents the United Arab Emirates in international football, having been founded in 1971 following the country’s independence. Its most notable achievement was qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 1990 and winning the Gulf Cup of Nations in 2007.
Al-Nasr (UAE)
Al-Nasr is a prominent sports and cultural club based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, founded in 1945. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country, historically significant for fostering local football talent and community spirit long before the UAE’s formation in 1971.
Hittin Al-Fidaa
Hittin Al-Fidaa is a town in northwestern Syria, near the city of Idlib. It is historically significant as the site of the Battle of Hattin in 1187, where Saladin’s forces decisively defeated the Crusader army, leading to the Muslim recapture of Jerusalem. The modern town’s name reflects this legacy of sacrifice and redemption.
Syria
Syria is a country in the Middle East with a profound historical legacy, often called the “cradle of civilization” for its ancient cities like Damascus and Aleppo. It has been home to successive empires, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Umayyads, whose influences are visible in its numerous archaeological sites. In recent history, the country has been severely impacted by a complex and ongoing civil war that began in 2011.
Al-Wehda
Al-Wehda is a Palestinian football club based in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, founded in 1974. It is one of the prominent clubs in Palestinian football, competing in the West Bank Premier League and known for its strong local fanbase. The club’s history is intertwined with the Palestinian national sports movement, serving as a community institution beyond athletics.
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a history dating back over 5,000 years, making it one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. It has been ruled by various empires, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Ottomans, and endured a devastating civil war from 1975 to 1990. Today, it is known as a vibrant, resilient cultural and commercial hub in the Middle East.
Lebanon
Lebanon is a country in the Middle East with a rich history as a crossroads of civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Ottomans. It is known for its diverse cultural and religious heritage and historic sites such as the ancient city of Byblos and the Roman ruins at Baalbek.
Al-Karamah
Al-Karamah is a town in Jordan best known for the Battle of Karamah in 1968, where Jordanian forces, alongside Palestinian factions, successfully repelled a major Israeli military incursion. The name itself means “dignity” in Arabic, and the battle is commemorated as a symbol of Arab resistance and national pride.
Club Africain
Club Africain is a prominent Tunisian multisport club founded in 1919 in Tunis, making it one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country. It is historically significant as a symbol of national identity and resistance during the French colonial period. The club is best known for its highly popular and successful football team, which has won numerous domestic and continental titles.
Tunisia
Tunisia is a North African country with a rich history shaped by ancient civilizations, including the Phoenicians who founded Carthage, followed by Roman, Arab, and Ottoman rule. It later became a French protectorate before gaining independence in 1956. Today, it is known for its archaeological sites, Mediterranean coastline, and as the birthplace of the Arab Spring pro-democracy movement in 2011.
Philippines National Team
The Philippines National Team, known as “Gilas Pilipinas” in basketball, represents the country in international competitions and has a history dating back to its first major appearance at the 1936 Summer Olympics. The team has experienced periods of success in Asian basketball and has worked to regain prominence on the global stage through development programs and naturalized players.
