After today’s last group stage games, here is the quarter-final schedule:
1-Petrochimi (Iran) vs Mina (Iraq)
2-Shimidor(Iran) vs Sariyat Ramallah (Palestine)
3-Sagesse(Lebanon) vs Naft (Iran)
Winner of game 1 will face the winner of game 2 as the winner of game 3 will face Riyadi who has automatically qualified to the semis after topping their group.
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14 Mar.2017– Things are not going well inside the green castle and some people are calling for actions. With the recent Bacho demands for coach Abou Chacra’s resignation, the green public has been split. To stand next to the team and his coach or stop attending the games until Bacho’s demands are met.
Nonetheless, former Sagesse Captain and Legend Sabah Khoury was clear and asked the Sagesse faithful the following:
“As a player who sacrificed a lot with this club and I know what true sacrifices mean…This is not how coach Fouad should be treated or talked about…Don’t forget all the problems this club has been going thru the last few years…He sacrificed a lot to help the club succeed and be on top starting from basketball to many other things(Career-time-money…) I urge all Sagesse family to always stay united behind the team and the club no matter what…As I said before Sagesse is not about one year or one season…It is way bigger than that and will always be…Stay together and united for the green castle…love you 
#Sagesse“
Although Sabah’s exit was not one to be proud of, nor was it one suitable for a player who has given so much to the team but he stood next to Sagesse when they needed him the most. Classy act from Sabah that shows us what true sportsmanship and loyalty really mean.
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15 Mar. 2017 – Sitting in 9th place, one game away from Sagesse, Mayrouba are getting ready to make a final push to try and grab 8th place in order to advance to the next round.
That is why, they are currently in negotiations with two foreign players.
The first option is Dany Williams, a British guard who played for Birmingham in the British league.
Secondly, the other option the club has is Tony Weeden, a guard who last played in the Cypriot 1st division. Throughout his career, he played for clubs such as Maroussi in the Greek league (15 points per game and 3.7 assists per game), SKS Starogard Gdanski in Poland as well as many other clubs there, Keravnos in Cyprus…
The one who will be signed is going to replace Calvin Cage as the team has not been impressed with his performance lately.
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15 Mar. 2017 – Sitting in 9th place, one place away from Sagesse, Mayrouba have signed a new foreign player in order to make a final push for the final 8.
The Lebanese club has indeed signed Tony Weeden in order to replace Calvin Cage.
Weeden is a guard who last played in the Cypriot 1st division. Throughout his career, he played for clubs such as Maroussi in the Greek league (15 points per game and 3.7 assists per game), SKS Starogard Gdanski in Poland as well as many other clubs there, Keravnos in Cyprus…
Here are some of his highlights:
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15 Mar. 2017 – The Lebanese juniors ski delegation is going to Bulgaria from March 15th until March 20th, in order to participate in a kids category competition there.
Michel Chaker is heading the delegation, alongside Thomas Chester and Mahdi Freik (Coaches) and the following skiers: Omar Zaidan, Ziad Chehab, Matheo Asmar, Elie Kallas, Joseph Rahmeh, Tamara Khalaf, Naya Estephan, Louise Mektef and Maria Issa.
On the other hand, the Lebanese federation is organizing its last race for 2017 on the 18th and 19th of March, at Mzaar Ski Resorts.
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15 Mar. 2017 – The Lebanese skiing federation organized the 2nd round of the Lebanese Snowboard Championship at the Cedars Skiing Resort, with 37 snowboard riders participating.
Here are the results:
Men:
Juniors (1996-2000):
Women:
Juniors (1996-2000):
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15 Mar. 2017 – Sader & Co. company, represented by lawyer Rani Sader, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lebanese Water Ski Federation, represented by its president, Alain Nohra. The memorandum was signed in Jounieh, with the presence of the federation’s members.
This memorandum aims at exchanging information and available data along with the necessary expertise. It also wants to enable those interested to check out the legal and practical foundations for the practice of water skiing in Lebanon. Moreover, it aims at spreading legitimate research and studies related to water ski thus shedding the light on it in the Lebanese society. This memorandum wants to establish bylaws that regulate the hierarchy of the federation and the process of electing its members. These bylaws will also organize the decision-making process along with the implementation of these decisions. The memorandum will set the rules to resolve the conflicts that could arise within the federation regarding the practice water ski.
Sader shall commit, by virtue of this memorandum, to provide the required legal support that will enable the work of the federation, including organizing tournaments and championships in Lebanon. Both parties will join efforts in order to hold lectures concerning this memorandum. They will work hand in hand to spread the legal knowledge in the field of sports in general, and especially in water ski.
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15 Mar. 2017- After being promoted two years ago to the division 1, Louaize has easily become the black horse of the Lebanese Basketball Championship.
As for the Futsal team, their hard efforts payed off. They have won the division 2 futsal championship to clinch their spot in the first division.
Here’s what Father Charbel Haddad had to say in a Thank You letter:
” I am very proud of the achievements of our basketball team, they have won so far this season 9 out of 16 games, to put them in the 5th place. Our target this year is to make it to the final 4, and why not the finals. We are advancing in the standings some teams that have a bigger basketball history than us, such as Sagesse, Tadamon, Champville and Hoops. We are proud to have an excellent coaching staff, with Coach Marwan Khalil, and his assistant Elie Salameh, not to forget our talented players and the incredible fans that keep on cheering for us in a decent and civilized way.
Moreover, we are proud to be called the Black Horse of the league since our promotion to the first division.
I want to congratulate our futsal team for winning the championship, and especially their head Coach Rabih Dib and his assistant Nadim Nassif as well as the players.
Furthermore, a huge thank you to the Vice President of the club Father Bechara Al Khoury, as well as Dominique Al Alam, and other members of the committee, for the continuous efforts they are deploying, and especially for the Board of Trustees that are supporting us financially and morally.
Finally, we are waiting for the final touches of the our new court that welcomes more than 2000 visitors, and a big opening will be launched soon.”
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15 Mar. 2017 – The Elite Running Club and in collaboration with Sportscode Events, is organizing the 5th edition of the Naqoura Run on Sunday, March 19th.
Aiming to create environmental awareness for the South, the race is set to take place in Naqoura, where the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon have been positioned since 1978.
The distance of the race is 10 kilometers and it’s set to start at 8:30 A.M. Runners will begin their run from the city’s Port close to the UNIFIL headquarters, and then go all the way back to the starting point. The run is on the coastal road of the city.
There will be standard categories for the races, organized by ERC awards. Overall men and women winners as well as winners of each category will get trophies while those finishing 2nd and 3rd are set to get medals.
Buses are available on race day, at Ain El Mreisseh (Hard Rock Cafe Building, 03 351590) and will depart to Naqoura at 6:00 A.M.
Runners though will have to pick up their bibs before race, at World Runner Shop in Ain El Mreisseh, on Thursday March 16th and Friday 17th, from 3:00 P.M till 7:00 P.M.
A digital timing system will be used in that race, provided by Timingcode.
Best of luck to everyone, the run will be a great experience, especially for new comers!
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15 Mar. 2017 – This year, just like the past one, the Lebanese players have seen the role and contribution on court diminish due to the three foreigners rule. And just like the past season, Riyadi are until now the favorites to win the league, not because of their imports but because of their Lebanese players. Wael Arakji’s blow is surely tough but the yellow team has all the capabilities to survive.
In this article, we will be looking at the top 3 Lebanese players from each team, statistically speaking:
Let’s start with the league leaders so far.
Homenetmen:
Fadi El Khatib:
Nadim Souaid:
Haig Gyokchyan:
Riyadi:
Jean Abdelnour:
Ali Haidar:
Ismael Ahmad:
Byblos:
Rodrigue Akl:
Ali Kanaan:
Tarek Ammoury:
Mouttahed:
Charles Tabet:
Elie Rustom:
Marwan Ziade:
Louaize:
Elie Stephan:
Miguel Martinez:
Jimmy Salem:
Champville:
Bassel Bawji:
Ali Farhat:
Mazen Mneimneh:
Tadamon:
Jad Khalil:
Ali Fakherdine:
Bilal Tabbara:
Sagesse:
Patrick Bou Abboud:
Mohamad Ibrahim:
Georges Yves Daaboul:
Mayrouba:
Costy Koudsy:
Fouad Anaty:
Thomas Ammar:
Hoops:
Ali Mezher:
Izzat Kaissi:
Khalil Aoun:
The post Here are the Top 3 Lebanese Players in each Team According to their Stats! appeared first on Sports 961.
15 Mar. 2017 – The 2006 team of Al Riyadi basketball academy are flying to France, Bourbourg, to participate in Mondiale Mini Basketball, from the 14th of April till the 18th of April.
25 teams from all around the world are participating, including Lebanon, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Serbia, Romania, and Guadaloupe.
They will be playing 3 games per day.
Riyadi will be in the group that includes: Riyadi, Denain Voltaire (France), UCCLE Europe (Belgium), Union Elite (France).
In the tournament there will be an All Stars game, a skills competition as well as shooting competition. This shows that it’s a very a high level tournament.
Moreover, Riyadi is the only team from Asia and it’s the same team that won Fermo-Italy Tournament last year.
On the 18th of April, the 2006 team will go to Paris to play friendly games after the tournament, while the 2003 girls team also will be at Paris for other friendly games.
The players representing Lebanon are the following: Omar Gebril, Mohamad Eter, Saad Khatib, Houssam Farhat, Sami alam elddine, Jad Tabbara, Fouad Tabbara, Karen Hoteit, Jad Akoum, Khaled Ahwal, Nadim Msharafiye, Jad Jawhar. The head coach of the team is Rana Bazazo.
All the luck for Al Riyadi teams.
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15 Mar.2017– With the regular season almost over, bottom table teams are scrapping for any win to ensure they avoid relegation and have a playoff birth. This alone makes today’s game between Homenetmen and Hoops one not to miss.
Any sane guy reading this would say it’s a clear Homenetmen win. But never underestimate the fighting spirit of a team that has nothing to lose. With Ali Mezher leading the way, Hoops have a small window to catch a break and maybe win this one. Ali has proved that he’s the heart and soul of this team. Scoring and feeding his teammates, he’s doing it all. The introduction of Elie Chamoun from the beginning to keep a close eye on him could kill Hoop’s chances from the start. Keeping Ali at bay will eventually kill Hoops at some point. What’s a car without an engine? If Elie isn’t starting, Nadim Souaid might take the task as rotating between him and Elie is bound to happen.
Homenetmen’s trouble isn’t only stopping Ali. They must cut him from the team, don’t let him feel the ball much. His vision can break any defense. With Vladan waiting down low, Ali is the guy to find him. The matchup between the Serbian and Ater Majok is one to watch. Majok can hold him for so long, with either Fadi and Dewayne doubling him, it can be a done deal under the rim.
Talking about Fadi, we should definetly underline the fact that he has been playing his besy basketball lately, do you even age man? Stopping him is easier said than done, but Omar Thams needs to have his A game ready to take on the Tiger. Fadi will spread the defense pulling Thomas out and a defender who will always be at Thoma’s side to help in case Fadi decides to penetrate. This may help Majok and Jackson to room freely under the rim, specially that Vladan is slow on the switch. With Antonio Haymon, Hoops have a more mobile lineup but lack in size. So even with the presence of Vladan, Jackson and co should limit their 3pt shooting and pound hard down low. Putting Vladan in foul trouble will generate a blow out in Mezher.
As eyes are pierced on Ali and the 3 foreigners, Izzat Kaissi must step up to help his teammates find spaces in the defense and operate more freely. With Vladan double teamed, he will often find space to drain his shots or drive the lane. Doing so will push Homenetmen’s defenders to think twice about teaming up and will spread their defense.
A David versus Goliath confrontation, who will come up on top? Keeping in mind last year’s quarter-finals matchup.
The post Lebanese Basketball League-Preview: Homenetmen vs Hoops appeared first on Sports 961.
16 Mar.2017– The delegation of the Lebanese Tennis Federation took part in the “Conference on the development of tennis in West Asia,” which was hosted by the emirate of Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with the participation of delegates from 12 countries in West Asia and under the supervision of the World Federation. Lebanese delegation
The Lebanese delegation was composed of Federation President Oliver Faisal, Vice-President Aref Mardini, Secretary-General Alain Sayegh, and federation member Mirna Abou Mrad. The conference dealt with the steps that would activate the game of Tennis in West Asia for all age groups.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Lebanese delegation held meetings with the President of World Federation chairman David Hagerty and with Asian Federation Chairman Anil Khan and a number of heads of delegations participating in the conference which dealt with bilateral relations and ways to further activate it.
Mr.Faisal said the conference was successful by all standards, and meetings with officials were fruitful for the development of tennis in Lebanon.
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14 Mar. 2017 – Ryan Khoury, 12 years old, is a Lebanese boxer who trains on a daily basis hoping to reach his dream.
In a matter of a few years, Ryan has already achieved more than regular people will in a lifetime. In fact, his dedication and hard work have proven to be very efficient. National champion, Asian champion and gold medalist in competitions in Tunisia, Thailand, Jordan and Iraq, this boy seems unstoppable. Nothing is too hard for him as he is constantly competing with bigger, heavier and older kids since there is no one in his age and weight category. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for Ryan who is a real prodigy in boxing.
This sport seems to be a family affair. In fact, his whole family is into boxing, most notably his father Tony Khoury and his uncle, Charbel Khoury. They train him on a daily basis, and on the days when he doesn’t have school, he trains twice. He first started doing sports when he first started walking. It began as a joke as his parents were joking around at home and taught him how to squat.
Ryan is acquiring a wide experience at a very young in order to achieve his biggest dream: Being crowned world champion.
The likes of Ryan Khoury are our pride and our hope for a better future for sports in Lebanon!
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16 Mar.2017– Injured Byblos travel to Dik El Mehdi to take on Champville as they hope to put past defeats behind them.
Champville have had a spark of life in recent weeks, starting with the great victory against Sagesse and the team has been on the right track since. Add to that the addition of Daniel Fares, the wolf pack seems to be going on a hunt.
Their major player has been Darien Townes. Yes, he is not their best scorer, but he is the most influential one on court. His defensive presence and offensive dominance make him the core of this team. With Byblos recently acquiring Ali Traore, a huge fight is going to happen down low. Ali has previously shown (2014) he can play the post with some good footwork and a mid-range shot that could be annoying to most big defenders as he can also fake and drive the lane. With Bassel Bawji having his hands full with Ali Kanaan, help might not come for either Traore or Townes, it a mano e mano!
As for the guards, Byblos are relying on Jay Youngblood to fill the score sheet. He will probably face Ali Farhat that has previously shown he can guard class A players with the likes of Terell Stoglin, time and time again. Ali can get to your head with his sticky defense and will to stop you, Jay better stay calm. As for Clay Tucker, he is playing on borrowed time, with the release of Ebi, his release is getting closer. Brandon Thomas has an easy task today, just don’t let Clay free at the 3point line. Thomas has elevated his game recently as we still didn’t witness Cummings on the court. Is coach Ghassan thinking about mixing it up today? Don’t ruin the rhythm guss.
Champville will certainly focus on taking down Rodrigue Akl. Stopping him will cause partial paralysis for the Jbeili team. Cutting him apart from Jay would diminish both their influence on court. Same goes for Ali Mahmoud, who seems to be getting back in shape. As for Byblos, they have to keep Patrick Rembert at bay. His contribution to the game is huge. He can score, shoot from long range, drive the lane and even find his teammates. Stop him and you would put Champville in a sticky situation.
Both teams are fighting to get the win, this should be one interesting game.
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17 Mar. 2017 – The Lebanese skiing federation organized the 2017 Alpine Ski competition, at the Cedars resort.
Amidst a very cloudy weather, many skiers from different clubs were competing for medals and here are the final results:
Men (6 kilometers):
01. Samer Taouk (Downhills club)
02. Anthony Taouk (Mount Cedars)
03. Charbel Bou Semaan (Lebanese Army)
Juniors (6 kilometers):
01. Samer Taouk (Downhills club)
02. Anthony Taouk (Mount Cedars)
03. Mohamad Ibrahim (Lebanese Army)
Women (3 kilometers):
01. Alexandra Khoury (Le Chalet)
02. Mary Keyrouz (Downhills)
03. Laeticia Arida (Le Chalet)
Juniors (3 kilometers):
01. Mary Keyrouz (Downhills)
02. Laeticia Arida (Le Chalet)
03. Lea Rahmeh (Mount Cedars)
The post 2017 Lebanese Alpine Skiing Championship Results! appeared first on Sports 961.
17 Mar. 2017 – Check out this photo album from Homenetmen’s women team game against Antranik Beirut. Photos by Jenny Etre / Sportscode Images.
The post Homenetmen vs Antranik Beirut – Lebanese Basketball Championship Pictures! appeared first on Sports 961.
17 Mar. 2017 – Bank of Beirut will be facing the Army in a final that promises to be exciting to say the least. This series will determine who will finally be crowned champion of the Lebanese Futsal League.
In their semi finals, both teams had won their series 3-0. Bank of Beirut had easily brushed past Choueifat winning their games by a large margin. As for the Army, the task was a bit harder as they their games against AYC were close. However, they still managed to end the series 3-0.
The final will no oppose these two teams who ended up 1st and 2nd in the regular season. The team who win three games out of five will officially become Lebanese Futsal League champion.
The schedule of the final is the following:
All games will be played on the Emile Lahoud Stadium.
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17 Mar. 2017 – Check out this amazing photo album from Champville’s home win against Byblos. Photos by Lara Arapguirlian / Sportscode Images.
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17 Mar. 2017 – The Lebanese Wushu Kung Fu delegation has set off to Turkey, in order to participate in the Mediterranean tournament from March 18th until March 20th.
Francois El Rassi, Georges Saadeh, Michel Zamar and Najwa Issa will be representing Lebanon there, accompanied by coaches and administration people.
Best of luck to our fighters in their quest to grab medals.
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