Sport in Chile that have been popular throughout the country. The country has some experience as host of major global sporting events such as the 1959 Basketball World Cup. The first sport played in Chile was "palín" (similar to hockey), first practiced by the Mapuche before the discovery and conquest of the country. The game was later called "Chueca" by the Spanish conquerors. Years later Europeans introduced other sports unknown in this country. Valparaíso is Chile's main port, and due to the emerging nitrate industry in the north, it became a crossroads for ships coming from Europe, bringing equipment and personnel for newspapers,
Sport in Lebanon a popular sport in Lebanon. The Lebanese Rugby League Federation is based in Safra in Lebanon. They are Full Members of the Rugby League European Federation and also Full Members of the Rugby League International Federation. The Lebanon national rugby league team qualified and played in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, and nearly qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but were narrowly beaten by Samoa in their final game. In 2011, Lebanon again nearly qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup but lost to Italy who became the 14th and final nation to qualify for the