Al Riyadi Lebanon
- Alias
- Al Riyadi Beirut
- Leagues Played
- Lebanon FLB 188 UAE Dubai IBC 37 West Asia Super League 31 Asia Champions Cup 22 Club Friendlies 15 Lebanon Cup 5 Basketball Champions League Asia 5 Basketball Matches 4 FIBA Intercontinental Cup 3 FIBA Asia Champs Cup Qual 1
- Links
- Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok Wikipedia
- Related Teams
- Al Riyadi Beirut Women
Results
Wikipedia - Al Riyadi Club Beirut
Al Riyadi Club Beirut (Arabic: نادي الرياضي بيروت, lit. 'Sporting Club Beirut'), commonly known simply as Al Riyadi, is a multi-sports club team based in Manara, a district in Beirut, Lebanon. Founded in 1934, the multi-sports club, which is mainly known for their basketball program, also plays ping-pong, martial arts, and other sports.
Al Riyadi is the most successful basketball team in Lebanese history, and one of the best in Asian basketball. Competing in the Lebanese Basketball League, Al Riyadi is the most decorated Lebanese basketball club, with 31 league titles, a joint-record three Basketball Champions League Asia titles, and five Arab Club Championships. Nicknamed "the Yellow Castle", basketball team plays its home games at the Saeb Salam Arena.
History
Al Riyadi Club was founded in 1934 by Hussein Sejaan, Hassan Ladki, Fouad Zantout, Youssef Shaker, Mustafa Shaker, Zouheir Yatim, Helmi Chehab, and Wafic Nsouli, who formed the first basketball team.
The team played its first game against a foreign team in 1947, when Al Riyadi faced Turkish club Galatasaray, and lost the game 33–39. The game was attended by the first President of Lebanon Bechara El Khoury.
Al Riyadi launched its first women's basketball team in 1965. The club built its own sports arena, the Saeb Salam Arena, in 1991, helped by former President Tammam Salam.
In the 2023–24 season, Al Riyadi won its 31st league championship. On 1 June 2024, they won their first FIBA West Asia Super League championship. On June 15, Al Riyadi also won the 2024 Basketball Champions League Asia championship, their third Asian continental title. As champions, they qualified directly for the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup, as the first Lebanese team in history to do so.
Known for their strong defense, fast-paced offense, and skilled players, Al Riyadi Lebanon has won numerous domestic and international championships. The team has a loyal fan base that fills the stands at their home games, creating an electric atmosphere that is unmatched in Lebanese basketball.
Al Riyadi Lebanon is also known for their commitment to developing young talent and promoting the sport of basketball in Lebanon. They have a strong youth program that helps nurture and train aspiring basketball players, ensuring a bright future for the sport in the country.
Overall, Al Riyadi Lebanon is a powerhouse in Lebanese basketball, with a rich history of success and a bright future ahead.