Lebanon's Al Riyadi win the 32nd Dubai International
The federation president presented the trophy to Al Riyadi Beirut, champions of the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Major General Ismail Al Qarqawi, chairman of the Dubai International organising committee and president of the UAE and Arab basketball federations, presented the title to Al Riyadi of Lebanon — an eighth in the club's history — accompanied by Dubai Sports Council secretary general Saeed Hareb, members of the tournament's supreme organising committee, federation members, representatives of the 32nd edition's sponsors and the tournament's guests. Dynamo of Lebanon finished runners-up after a final that was excellent both technically and as a spectacle, with Espérance of Tunisia taking third and the bronze medal.
The awards ceremony was dominated by Lebanese players: Al Riyadi's Amir Saoud was named best playmaker and his team-mate Wael Arakji best all-round player, while the best centre award was shared between the UAE's Qais Omar and Al Riyadi's Ater Majok. Dynamo's Zakaria Yaacoub and Ahmed Ali took the leading scorer and leading three-point scorer awards, and the best prospect award went to the Emirati talent Hamed Abdullatif.
A single point settled it: Al Riyadi's 86-85 win over their compatriots Dynamo at Al Nasr's hall gave them a record eighth Dubai International title, adding 2023 to their wins in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2019. It is Lebanese basketball's 13th title in the tournament, after Al Hekmeh in 2002 and 2016, Champville in 2003 and 2004, and Antranik in 2021.
