BEIRUT: Another year has passed, and the domination of Riyadi on the Lebanese basketball scene seems destined to continue. The “Yellow Castle” even went on to realize their one unfulfilled objective in 2011 by winning the Asian clubs Championship for the first time in their history, after beating rival Mahram of Iran in the finals 91-82 last June.

Over the last seven years, several Champville stars – including head coach Fouad Abou Chacra and players Ismael Ahmad, Tony Madison, Joe Vogel and Ali Mahmoud, among others – have transferred to Riyadi, in a club changing deal that cost the latter around $1 million.

Since then, the Beirut side has struggled to find a talisman, the only missing piece in the club’s puzzle. But with the acquisition of Lebanese legend Fadi al-Khatib, who was almost unable to join Riyadi on loan because of a disagreement between the team and his current club Champville, Riyadi got their man.

Khatib moved seamlessly into Riyadi’s rotation at the Asian Club Championships, scoring a tournament high of 41 points in the finals against Mahram, making “the tiger” the first Lebanese player and the third Asian player after Iran’s Samad Bahrami and Hamed Afagh to win the Asian title four times.

Khatib, 31, has been present in all of Lebanese basketball’s golden moments in all competitions, most notably with the two Lebanese clubs who have won the Asian cup, Riyadi and Sagesse back in their golden years (1999, 2000 and 2004).

Lebanese fans wouldn’t like to imagine Lebanese basketball without Khatib, particularly with so few players coming through who appear able to carry the torch after the star retires.

“The Tiger” proved beyond doubt this year that he is the heart of the local game. In fact, clubs are now more convinced than ever that winning international tournaments like the Asian Club Championships requires the services of Khatib, no matter who else is included in their lineup.

But elsewhere, Khatib has not been able to win the Lebanese league since his departure from Sagesse back in the 2003-2004 season, at least technically, since he won the domestic title with Riyadi four years ago but was banned from playing, alongside Egyptian star Ismael Ahmad.

His current team Champville, failed once again last season to overcome Riyadi, who again showed their superiority over the rest of their opponents to lift the Lebanese League title for the seventh year in a row.

What is the secret of Riyadi?

While some people would jump to the conclusion that money is the only factor for Riyadi’s success, others would consider cash just one of the many reasons, which include stability and long-term planning.

The history of the Lebanese League has seen two phases of dominance: when Sagesse reigned supreme from 1998 to 2004 and when Riyadi took over the reins from their arch-rivals and continued their winning streak from 2005 to until today. During the first phase, Riyadi experienced varying fortunes, and the management was forced to change coaches continuously, but the team’s profligacy finally ended in 2004 when they hired Abou Chacra as coach.

In contrast, the other teams who are seeking to compete with Riyadi are losing patience and momentum after being constantly beaten by Riyadi, a situation that will exist for as long as those clubs are financed by only one person who may grow tired of trying and simply leave.

If Riyadi’s seven-year stranglehold on the Lebanese League has proved anything, it’s that stability and a settled management are the keys to success.