Asian handball championship will start on Saturday

Lebanon is going to host the 14th Asian Men'Handball Championship in Beirut, from 6 to 19 February 2010, where the top three teams will qualify to the 2011 world championship in Sweden.

Following the suspension of the Kuwait Olympic committee and then the Kuwait handball federation after the interference of Kuwait government in sport, groups are as follows:

A: Saudi Arabia, China, Syria;
B: Japan, Bahrain, Iraq;
C: Rep. of Korea, Qatar, United Arab Emirates;
D: Iran, Lebanon, Jordan.

With the absence of Kuwait who was the favorite to win the tournament, the groups look fairly balanced with preference to Korea and Iran, then "black horse" Saudi Arabia.

In addition to that, Japan Lebanon, who did huge progress in last few years, and Qatar are expected to do well, while China remain a good competitor although they never had a good result.

Tony Madison returns to Lebanon from Champville's doors

Tony Madison (190-G-71, college: New Orleans) is a professional American basketball player who was currently playing for Petrochimi Bandar Imam in the Iranian Basketball Super League. He is regarded as one of the best imports in the Middle East after playing in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

He played NCAA basketball for the New Orleans Privateers.

Madison was Lebanese Point guard of the year for 2 consecutive years (2003,2004,2005) and he was import of the year for 2004...In 2007 he was All-Arab Club Championships Best 3-point shooter.

In other hands there's some rumors saying that Brandon Kurtz (208-C-78) on his way back to Lebanon from Champville's doors too.

source: www.asia-basket.com