VILNIUS, LITHUANIA: Lithuania's top politicians on Wednesday (August 29th) attended an official ceremony in Vilnius to unveil probably the first monument in the world honouring basketball, which is said to be the second religion of this Baltic country.

President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas were among hundreds of politicians and a crowd of people who applauded the official opening of the 5.7-metres high monument that weighs 30 tons.

Five granite columns and a sphere made of stainless steel brought from China depict a hand with a basket ball.

Names of 37 of the best known Lithuanian basketball players and coaches are inscripted on the monument, erected near the main basketball arena of the capital.

The Baltic country, with a population of some 3.4 million, has long been among the strongest basketball nations in the world.

They won European championships in 1937, 1939 and 2003.

The Lithuanian men's basketball team also won bronze medals in three consecutive Olympic games, from 1992 in Barcelona to the 2000 Games in Sydney.