BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Syria basketball has been taking the West Asia Super League (WASL) by storm in this 2023/2024 season.

Not only did the Syrian clubs, Al Wahda and Al-Ittihad Ahli, win their first games to tip off the season, but their opening games were also officially recorded as the first and second largest crowds ever in FIBA WASL history.

“ WE WILL PROVE IN THIS COMPETITION THAT BASKETBALL IN AL-ITTIHAD AHLI ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING NEW TO OFFER ESPECIALLY, FIRSTLY, IN TERMS OF FANS AND, SECONDLY, IN TERMS OF MODERN BASKETBALL."

Al-Ittihad Ahli had 9000-plus fans in attendance at the Al Hamadaniyeh stadium in Aleppo while Al Wahda had 8000-plus supporters roaring in the stands of the Al Dayhaa stadium in Damascus.

This is not a surprise to those who are familiar with the Syria basketball scene, especially to a legend like Mohammad Abou Saada.

"Basketball has been the most popular game in Syria, and especially in Aleppo, and the proof of it is the presence of fans that reached more than 15,000 people in the venue and also the big numbers on social media pages," said Abou Saada.

For someone who has seen and played in a lot of competitions in his hay day, he knows how beneficial these games can be for everyone involved.

"I wish success to FIBA WASL and especially to Al-Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo," said the former player of Al-Ittihad Ahli. "I see in these kinds of competitions the chance to find new players and talents."

" In the past, there were regional competitions with the presence of champion teams in the region but [it was held] for a few days," he recalled, also highlighting the importance of the high level of competition of these players.

The teams in Syria have put their competitive spirits on display so far and, again, this is just as expected as the immense fan support.

"There is a competitive vibe between our teams whether in terms of fans or in the technical sense. Basketball needs this kind of competition. In the end, sports are all about winning and losing."

In particular, there is a team that Abou Saada - and, most likely, general Syria basketball fans - are looking forward to in particular. That club is Sagesse SC, a familiar rival who is making their WASL-West Asia debut this season.

"The participation of Sagesse SC is a big addition to elevate the level of the competition especially since there is a history between us," he said, possibly thinking about his own battles with Sagesse in the past.

"Syrian teams, Al-Ittihad Ahli and Al Wahda, both have played a lot of games against Sagesse SC, especially in Dubai International Tournaments that we used to participate in every year. We also used to win and lose but the games have always been special and critical."

Al-Ittihad Ahli will face Sagesse on December 14, while Al Wahda will have to advance from the Group Phase should they wish to face the "Green Castle" of Lebanon.

All things considered, Abou Saada has high hopes for the presence of WASL in the region. Considering how much he has experienced as a star player from the 1980s through to the 2000s and being involved in the scene onwards, that is always a good sign.

"FIBA WASL has started having a special atmosphere and this is continued because the competition system is home and away for an extended period of time.

"We will prove in this competition that basketball in Al-Ittihad Ahli always has something new to offer especially, firstly, in terms of fans and, secondly, in terms of modern basketball.

"FIBA WASL will be one of the best competitions in the region in the upcoming years," he proclaimed.

FIBA