BEIRUT (Lebanon) – The sprawling Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex was, in a manner of speaking, was built for Lebanese National Team to show off their wares to the passionate fans in the Cedars country.
Way back in 2017, when Lebanon was bidding to host the FIBA Asia Cup, the sprawling sports complex in the Zouk Mikael municipality in suburban Beirut was upgraded to match FIBA standards and there has been no second thought where Lebanon would play their National Team games since then.
Therefore it was a veritable feast for all concerned when Lebanon took on UAE and the former was stretched to the limit before winning in their final Group F game of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Monday night.
Wael Arakji was the obvious leader of another Lebanese hunt.
The reigning FIBA Asia MVP had already proclaimed “Basketball is and will always be what unites people in this country. We as players will always be there to lift our country in tough days,” in an interview with this website in the build up to Window 3.
“We are very excited to play again in Lebanon and we want to give our fans a show,” the Al Riyadi super star had said.
Arakji’s teammate on the Cedars roster Jad Khalil was as effusive in the hours preceding the game.
“It’s special… it’s when you feel you belong to something bigger than yourself,” said Khalil, who will don the Sagesse colours and match wits with Arakji’s Riyadi in the FIBA WASL West Asia League come next week.
“When I feel their (fans) emotions and their belief in me, they become the reason why I try my best. It goes beyond the game, it’s a moment, a connection I carry with me, long after the final whistle,” Khalil said.
Lebanon coach, although a Serbian by nationality, had nothing but praise for the Lebanese fans.
“Lebanon is basketball country. Lebanon fans always expected good result. Lebanon fans will follow team wherever they play. It’s a privilege to play in front of them in Lebanon,” the play caller said.
There was nothing but excitement in Lebanon playing in front of home crowd all round.
“It gives me pride to play in front of my friends and family… and of course the Lebanese fans,” Amir Saoud was as crisp in his comments as his plays on court.
“It’s always a pleasure to play in front of our fans, we get energized and use it as motivation to perform for them and give them everything we got on court,” said Karim Zenoun.
It was a night of celebrating basketball in Beirut. And indeed a triumph for Lebanese basketball all round! That the Lebanese basketball team was stretched to its limits before prevailing for a win spoke, in a manner of speaking, for the Lebanese resilience to stand up against mountainous challenges!
FIBA