The 19th edition of Arab Nations Championship has begun on Thursday 15th July 2009 in Ibn Yassine arena of Rabat (Morocco).
In Group B game, Morocco, the host country beat Saudi Arabia 71 – 60 (half time 33 – 23) in openers.
In Group A, Libya beat Syria 91 – 87 in over time following 77 – 77 points at the full time. Tunisia ruled Algeria 78 – 40 in the second game of Group A
For the day 2 to be played on Thursday 16th July 2009, Egypt will keep a date with Morocco followed by the game of Yemen between Kuwait in Group B. In Group A, Tunisia will face to Syria while Lebanon will be opposed to United Arab Emirates.
The Arab Championship will be played from 15th to 26th July 2009 in Morocco and will be a test for Egypt, Morocco, Libya and Tunisia before Afrobasket 2009 to be staged from 05th to 15th August 2009 in Libya.