Arguably that was the biggest signing in Lebanese Basketball History, a very big investment of 2 millions USD on a 6 years long deal.
Julian Khazzouh (209-C-86) didn't just give hope to thousands of Sagesse fans, that their historical era has finally returned , but most importantly The Lebanese Big guy coming from Australia gave hope for 4 millions Lebanese people , who always had a dream of seeing their National Team winning Asia [read more]
Arguably that was the biggest signing in Lebanese Basketball History, a very big investment of 2 millions USD on a 6 years long deal. Julian Khazzouh (209-C-86) didn't just give hope to thousands of Sagesse fans, that their historical era has finally returned , but most importantly The Lebanese Big guy coming from Australia gave hope for 4 millions Lebanese people , who always had a dream of seeing their National Team winning Asia .
At first, Julian's signing opened a much bigger non-basketball related problem. Julian Previously played in Israel , and as the Lebanese Laws state, any lebanese citizen is not allowed to enter Israel ( occupied Palestine ) and return back to Lebanon. ( This Law is applicable to foreigners as well ) To make it short, Sagesse went to the court of justice and won a case that allowed julian to play in the Lebanese league as a local player. The were able to win that case , because they showed the tremendous need our National Team for Julian's presence . On several occasions, Sagesse's president Elie Mechantaf attacked whoever fought against Julian eligibility of playing here by accusing them of ignoring the higher interest and the best of our National Team. Coach Fouad Abou Chakra stated on the day sagesse published the signing of Julian, that julian will play for the National Team, and he is what this Team needs.
Today, and at 43 days away from the first Asian cup game, Julian Khazzouh still didn't join nor gave his final answer about joining. News all over the country circles around the sagessian Coach, Fouad abou Chakra who got the biggest influence on Julian, is playing a very negative role in pushing the player away from the National Team, despite the coach's statements to the media, that he will work all his power to convince julian in joining .
Like We all stood next to you when you first came here, we fought our political roots, We expected you to fight for joining our National team, who was supposed to be YOUR National team.
The Failure of the National Team is nothing but the Failure of our Country in all what it means, not a coaching staff or a federation. Coach Fouad , All fans of all Teams, urge you to work for the greater patriotic reason.
In an early off-season move, Pro Sports Management announced that Riyadi Club succeeded to ink Lebanese-Canadian Star Ali Haidar (201-F-90). Haidar is one of the best Lebanese rising stars who just finished his 4th season in Michigan Tech in NCAA D2 where he was one of the best players in this division. In 2011-2012 Haidar played 28 games and notched 19.1ppg, 9.4apg, 1.5apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 74.5%. While this season, in 2013 he played 30 games and had: 24 [read more]
In an early off-season move, Pro Sports Management announced that Riyadi Club succeeded to ink Lebanese-Canadian Star Ali Haidar (201-F-90). Haidar is one of the best Lebanese rising stars who just finished his 4th season in Michigan Tech in NCAA D2 where he was one of the best players in this division. In 2011-2012 Haidar played 28 games and notched 19.1ppg, 9.4apg, 1.5apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 74.5%. While this season, in 2013 he played 30 games and had: 24.8ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 74.2%.
By signing Haidar, Riyadi opened an early hot off-season for a season that did not finish as everyone wished.!!
Below is Haidar's Awards/Achievements: GLIAC Tournament Semifinals -11, 12 GLIAC All-Tournament Team -11 All-GLIAC North Division 1st Team -11 Lebanese National Team -11 All-GLIAC Player of the Year -12, 13 All-GLIAC 1st Team -12, 13 GLIAC North Division Regular Season Co-Champion -12 NABC Division II All-Midwest Region 2nd Team -12 NABC Division II All-Midwest Region 1st Team -13 Reese's Division II College All-Star Game -13
The Lebanese National Team is facing an unclear situation for the first time since the rising of Lebanese Basketball in 1998. The Federation didnt assemble yet the National Team. The preparation plan consist only on a participation in the Jones Cup ( FLB didnt confirm the participation yet) .
The federation had a meeting two days ago and called coach Ghassan Sarkis for a meeting from which nothing came out [read more]
The Lebanese National Team is facing an unclear situation for the first time since the rising of Lebanese Basketball in 1998. The Federation didnt assemble yet the National Team. The preparation plan consist only on a participation in the Jones Cup ( FLB didnt confirm the participation yet) .
The federation had a meeting two days ago and called coach Ghassan Sarkis for a meeting from which nothing came out. Fadi El Khatib the National Team star is not joining the team this week , Julien Khazzouh left to Australia , many other players are demanding not to join the team in this situation.
Lebanon a power in the Asian Basketball since 2001 , finishing 2nd in three FIBA ASIA Championships ( 2001, 2005,2007) and 4th in 2003,2009 is losing ground to other countries , in 2011 the Team sent to Wuhan was a combination of young players didnt had enough experience and maturity to continue the good results , the roster missed around 8 important players , Lebanon finished 8th in the ranking and for the first time outside the best 4 teams since 2001.
Lebanon is facing same situation this year also , due to very unreasonable decisions many players are not willing to join or some will not be called and with no budget and no preparation plan the team will have a very bad FIBA ASIA Championship. A strong championship will build a very strong National Team but this formula is not working in Lebanon.
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