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3. Did Lebanon’s Basketball Lose Its Top-Tier Women?

The Lebanese basketball season has been disrupted by the ongoing war in Lebanon, forcing many athletes to sign with foreign clubs for both security and financial reasons.

The Lebanese basketball league had been gearing up for a promising season, fueled by its growing popularity, increased investments and the signing of several high-caliber foreign players. However, the war that escalated last September brought the league to a halt, prompting players to seek opportunities abroad.

While much attention has been on the men’s basketball league—where players are heading and for how long—Lebanon’s top-tier women basketball players have also made moves to international clubs.

National team standout Rebecca Akl has officially joined Panserraikos in Greece for the 2024-2025 season, while her teammate Aida Bakhos has signed with AZ Academy in Saudi Arabia. Another national team player, Zeina Elias, is currently playing with Šiauliai in Lithuania. Before the war erupted, Miramar Mokdad, another key national team player, had already announced her departure from the Lebanese league. She signed with Al-Ula Club in Saudi Arabia and also announced that she would not represent the national team this year.

For those concerned about the future of women’s basketball in Lebanon, Lebanese Basketball Federation President Akram Halabi offered reassurance in a statement to This Is Beirut, “They are all coming back. By the time the league resumes, they would have finished their duties abroad.”

Supporting Halabi’s claim, Bakhos told This Is Beirut that her contract with AZ Academy ends in January, after which she plans to return to Lebanon. She has already committed to joining Azour Club, which recently secured promotion to Division 1.

The 2024-2025 Lebanese basketball season, originally set to tip off in October, has been postponed due to the war. The Women’s Division 1 league is now set to begin on February 8, 2025, while the men’s league will kick off a week earlier on February 1, 2025.

Lebanon’s basketball scene may be facing significant challenges, but its athletes are finding ways to keep their skills sharp, ensuring the league's resilience and readiness when peace allows it to resume.