The first Hamdan Bin Rashid International Basketball Tournament will be held at the Al Nasr Club from May 3-10.
A total of nine clubs are expected to participate from Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Jordan, Philippines and the UAE.
Speaking at a press conference in the club's premises yesterday, Mohammad Jalfar, the chairman of the club's sports committee said: "We decided to organise such a strong tournament in honour of club president Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry who has been supporting the youth of the club.
"The success achieved by Al Nasr is a result of his continuous support."
The press meet was also attended by tournament manager Abdul Rahman Abu Elshawareb.
Jalfar said that the decision to invite the best clubs because, "We want it to be a high quality tournament. We decided to invite the strongest clubs from the best countries in basketball in Asia.
"Sagesse of Lebanon are Asian Champions and clubs from Syria and Jordan are rated the best in Asia." The nine clubs participating are Segasse and Al Riyadhy from Lebanon, Al Ittihad and Al Wahda from Syria, Fast Link from Jordan, Saba from Iran, Houlieir from Phillippines and Al Nasr and Al Wasl from the UAE.
The nine clubs will be divided into two groups, one with five teams while the other will have four. The winner of the two groups qualify for the golden square. The runner-up from each group meets the third placed team from the other group and the winner qualifies for the golden square to make four teams.
Jalfar said that the Al Nasr players would benefit from the tournament.
Jalfar said that prize money and trophies for the high profile tournament would be provided by sponsors.
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