Syria team hoop against the odds

Khalil Khoury dribbles a basketball deftly down the dilapidated gym where he and the rest of the Syrian national team train, passing it through his legs before a silky-smooth lay-up.

Since Syria’s conflict erupted in March 2011, Khoury’s team has seen its ranks dwindle and its options for training venues shrink. But it still practises and competes, including in the prestigious FIBA Asia Cup championship to be held on August 17-27 in neighbouring Lebanon.