Sports - Karami bears brunt of FLBB staking condition

Fri 4/05/2012 15:30

NNA - 4/5/2012 - Minister of Youth and Sports, Faisal Karami, chaired Friday an urgent meeting at his office in the Ministry, in an effort to contain a fresh heated dispute which erupted at the backdrop of a grisly headway of Wednesday's Game 4 between Riyadi and Anibal Zahle and which could have saddled the country with a contentious basketball crisis.

The Minister held today's meeting with the president and vice president of Riyadi, Hisham Jaroudi and Jawdat Chaker, members of the Lebanese Basketball Federation (FLBB), Nader Basma, Nizar Rawass, Fadi Tabet, Maroun Gabriel, Yasser Hajj, Hadi Ghemraoui, and Robert Abi Abdallah, as well as the Head of the Sports parliamentary committee MP Simon Abi Ramia, FLBB Head George Barakat, President of Anibal club Michel Zarzour, and Karami's advisors.

Riyadi fans demonstrated Thursday at the club's square in Manara after the FLBB banned supporters from attending Game 5--originally scheduled for Thursday--and disallowed player Ismail Ahmad from playing, after he argued with a federation official during Game 4.

Riyadi initially chose to hand the victory to Anibal.

Minister Karami intervened and threatened to dissolve the federation, which convened Thursday evening and decided to move Game 5 to today with both Ahmad and the fans still banned.

The Minister hoped that the Game would be adjourned to tomorrow, held at Riyadi court, and that Ahmad would return to play after he publically apologizes.

As to the supporters, Karami will hold contacts with the security forces to settle on the matter.

Sports - Ukraine condemns moves to politicise Euro soccer

Thu 3/05/2012 18:48

NNA - 03/05/2012 (Reuters) - Ukraine on Thursday denounced what it said were attempts to politicise the European soccer championships next month as "destructive" and said the failure of the tournament would be a loss for millions of people.

Several European politicians have said they intend to stay away from the former Soviet republic in protest at the treatment accorded to imprisoned opposition leader and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko by the Kiev authorities.

"The foreign ministry considers attempts to politicise sporting events to be destructive," the ministry said in a statement.

"A successful championship will be a victory not for politicians, parties or ideologies, but for all Ukrainians and Poles. Its failure will be a loss for millions," it said.

Poland and Ukraine are co-hosts of the month-long Euro-2012 tournament whose opening games will be played on June 9. The final will be played in Kiev on July 1.

Tymoshenko, main rival of President Viktor Yanukovich, was sentenced to seven years in prison last October for abuse of office after a trial that the West says was politically motivated. She is now in a prison in the city of Kharkiv, one of the Euro-2012 venues. She has been on a hunger strike since April 20 in protest at what she said was an assault by prison guards, an allegation denied by the prison administration.

Sports - Race planned in Baalbek for female empowerment

Thu 3/05/2012 16:48

NNA - 03/05/2012 The Dutch embassy in Lebanon, with the collaboration of Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training, concluded the project of "Political empowerment for women" Thursday by announcing that a race is planned to be held in the region of Baalbek-Hermel upcoming May 18 under the slogan of "Your participation makes the picture perfect."

Present at the meeting in Tamouz Hall in Baalbek were representative of Sports and Youth Minister, Youssef Shahine, and ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Hero De Boer.

"Any activity or project that aims at empowering women will be met with dynamic participation by the Kingdom of the Netherlands," said De Boer.

R.Z.

Sports - Sports and Youth Minister launches Card for Youth

Wed 2/05/2012 18:12

NNA - 02/05/2012 - The Sports and Youth Ministry launched on Wednesday a Card for Youth that would serve to unite young persons regardless of their confessional or political affiliations.

The launching event took place during a meeting between said ministry on one hand and private administrations on the other, at Rotana hotel in Hazmieh.

The event was attended by Sports and Youth Minister Faysal Karami, Information Minister representative Wafic Hamdan, and others.

Karami underscored the necessity of boosting national spirit.
A.M

Sport - Italian contingent organizes marathon in Tyre

Sun 15/04/2012 13:10

NNA - 15/04/2012 - The command of the western sector and the Italian contingent of UNIFIL organized an International Marathon on Sunday in Tyre, in cooperation with the municipality of the city, attended by 300 people from different countries, soldiers and officers of the UNIFIL and the Lebanese army as well as sports and social associations.

The commander of the Italian contingent, General Carlo Lamanna said he was proud to take part of the event in the ancient southern city of Tyre.

"We bring a message of peace and we run today for Peace, sports is a vital form of communication," he added, thanking the city of Tyre and those who contributed to the success of the day.

Three sergeants won awards in the marathon: A sergeant of the Indian contingent of UNIFIL, a sergeant from the Republic of Ghana and a soldier from the Lebanese army.

General Lamanna awarded the medals to the three winners.

Sports - Baalbeck Marathon under Karami's patronage

Tue 20/03/2012 15:47

NNA - 20/3/2012 Youth and Sports Minister Faysal Karami received Tuesday MP Ali Mekdad who invited the Minister to patronize Baalbeck Marathon on June 15.

Sports - British Embassy organizes "One Mile Race"

Wed 14/03/2012 18:15

NNA - 14/3/2012 - The British Embassy in Beirut and the British Council organized on Wednesday the "One Mile Race" in Zeitouna Bay, with the participation of 120 persons, on top of whom the British Ambassador to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher, and Lebanese champions Andrea Paoli and Nivine Mamgoulian.

A statement by the embassy said that students and teachers from Emir Shakib Arslan and Hassan Kassir schools as well as 30 soldiers from the UK navy also partook in the event.

In a word delivered on the occasion, Ambassador Fletcher said that the power of partnership between the United Kingdom and Lebanon was not restricted to the political and diplomatic level.

The statement explained that Sport Relief program, which kicked off in 2002, contributes to helping poor and vulnerable people in the United Kingdom and the most impoverished countries.

Besides, it said that the British Council's program related to schools aims to build sustainable partnerships with schools in both Lebanon and the UK and underpin understanding and trust among students in different societies.

Sports - Lebanese Labor Council honors Karami

Fri 2/03/2012 15:57

NNA - 02/03/2012 - The Lebanese Labor Council in Abu Dhabi held on Friday an honorary ceremony for Sports and Youth Minister Faysal Karami upon the latter's winding up his visit to the United Arab of Emirates.

The ceremony was attended by Sports and Youth Ministry director Ziad Khiami, Lebanese Embassy's Charge D'Affaires of Abu Dhabi Farah Al-Khatib Al-Hariri, head of the World Lebanese Cultural Union Albert Matta, head of the Lebanese Labor Council in Joseph Nohra, and others.

Karami gave a word on the occasion, highly speaking of the United Arab of Emirates as an upholding ambience for the Lebanese individual's success in the country.

Sports - Sports Minister thanks UAE for "distinguished reception"

Thu 1/03/2012 17:10

NNA - 1/3/2012 - Minister of Sports and Youth, Faysal Karami, on Thursday uttered gratefulness to the United Arab Emirates, government and people, for the special care it heeds for the Lebanese Diaspora abroad and for the special reception during yesterday's eliminatory match between the Lebanese and Emirati football teams.

Karami mainly thanked the Emirati Minister of Culture and Youth Development, Abdul Rahman Ben Mohammad Oueis.

He also highlighted the ongoing cooperation between Lebanon and UAE, noting that a cooperation agreement on the levels of youth and sports would be inked between both countries in the upcoming days.

Sports - Lebanon qualified to World Cup Asia's finals

Wed 29/02/2012 18:07
NNA - 29/02/2012 - Lebanon's football team was qualified to play the final session of the World Cup Finals for Asia continent, despite its losing a match (2-4) today against the United Arab of Emirates.

Sports and Youth Minister Faysal Karami, in a statement issued on Wednesday from Abu Dhabi where the match took place, congratulated Lebanese on the unprecedented accomplishment achieved by Lebanon's team via placing Lebanon on the regional and international football map.
A.M>

Sports - Lebanon vs UAE match kicks off

Wed 29/02/2012 14:18

NNA - 29/2/2012 The football match between Lebanon's national team and the United Arab Emirates began at Al-Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

This match is a decisive one since it falls under the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Lebanon needs only a tie in this game to reach the final round of World Cup qualification in the region for the first time.

L.W.

Sports - Sleiman urges national football team to win

Wed 29/02/2012 13:25

NNA - 29/2/2012 - President of the Republic, Michel Sleiman, addressed from the Romanian capital, Bucharest, the Lebanese national football team few hours before the crucial game which might qualify them to the world cup.

The President voiced confidence in Lebanon's dream team, saying the Lebanese had faith in them.

"This homeland will always be the lighthouse of the Arab world that will not spare any sacrifice for the sake of the country," he proudly said.

"Your win today builds for a new course in the football history and sports in general," added the President, assuring that victory would motivate the Lebanese state to pay more attention to sports and youths.

In the same regard, President Sleiman contacted by phone the Youth and Sports Minister Faysal Karameh who informed him of the national team's preparations.
D.K.

Sports - Faysal karami: cash rewards for Lebanon's team if it wins match

Wed 29/02/2012 10:59

NNA - 29/2/2012 - Minister of Sports and Youths Faysal karami told Voice of Lebanon "Voice of Freedom and Dignity" that the ministry will offer cash awards for the Lebanese national soccer team if it wins today's match against the United Arab Emirates in the world cup qualifying tournament.

He added that the state will embrace and sponsor the Lebanese national team.

Karami stressed that the Cabinet will try to speed up the awards which were promised earlier for the national team once President of the Republic Michel Sleiman returns from abroad.

O.H

Sports - Lebanese football team bound to Doha

Mon 20/02/2012 18:41

NNA - 20/2/2012 - The Lebanese national football team on Monday headed to Doha to enroll in a training camp, in preparation for the awaited match with the Emirati team, ahead of the Brazil-based 2012 world cup.

Both Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates will be vying for winning the last round of the third tournament in the second group's elimination game in Abu Dhabi on forthcoming February 29.

R.A.H.

Sports - Lebanese Fouad Aoun reaps gold Taekwondo medal

Thu 16/02/2012 18:48

NNA - 16/2/2012 - Fouad Aoun, Lebanese, on Thursday reaped the gold medal at the fourth international championship of Taekwondo in Bahrain for the category of less than 63 kg.

Aoun, who respectively beat a Bahraini player and another from Saudi Arabia, has won four other medals in local tournaments since 2008.

R.A.H.

Sports - Abboud, Kheir Eddine tackle reviving Water Skiing

Mon 13/02/2012 12:52

NNA - 13/2/2012 - Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud Monday tackled the issue of reviving Water Skiing sport in Lebanon during his meeting with State Minsiter Marwan Kheir Eddine and the Water Skiing delegation.

Conferees also engaged in talks concerning organizing festivals and championships in this sector.

L.W.

Sports - Lebanese Bashir Maroun, Tai Boxing world champion

Wed 28/12/2011 17:32

NNA - 28/12/2011 - Bashir Maroun, Lebanese, reaped the title of Tai Boxing world champion for the super-welters category, as he beat his Columbian rival, in Munich.

Bashir Maroun, holding both the Lebanese and German nationalities, had won the European championship in 2010.

R.A.H.

Sports - Beirut 2011 Marathon

Sun 27/11/2011 15:48

NNA - 27/11/2011 - Beirut main arteries witnessed the 2011 Marathon of 31 thousand participants from Lebanon and all over the world. Runners came from 84 Arab and Foreign lands.

An Ethiopian man and woman won the 42 km race while Deputy of the House Alain Aoun ranked the first among politicians and parliamentarians partaking in the marathon. Marathon lasted for over than 5 hours under the slogan of "For the Love of Lebanon, we take to the Street and Race."

The Marathon's point of departure was BIEL in downtown Beirut and Martyrs' Square was the point of arrival.

Among celebrities partaking in the Beirut Marathon were US Queen of Beauty, Rima Fakih, former cabinet Minister Ziad Baroud, and wife to Nigerian President.

A group of disabled on wheelchairs also partook in the marathon with Lebanese security and army overseeing a smooth running of the event.

Among NGOs attending and organizing the event, were Biladi Khadra Association (Ever Green Country), Greenpeace and UN commissioners in Lebanon.

Sports - Beirut's annual marathon launches from heart of the city

Sun 27/11/2011 10:14

NNA - 27/11/2011 At 8 a.m. Sunday the much anticipated yearly event of Beirut marathon commenced from Biel in Down Town Beirut in presence of Youth and Sports Minister Faysal Karaim and a number of ministers and deputies.

R.Z.

Sports - Rida Antar made player of the week

Tue 22/11/2011 13:27

NNA - 22/11/2011 Lebanon's national football team midfielder Rida Antar was chosen as Goal.com's player of the week.

Anatar played a quintessential role in Lebanon's victory against South Korea during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Antar and the rest of the team's effort brought them closer towards qualifying for the World Cup finals.
Lebanon is scheduled to play the United Arab Emirates in its final game on February 29

Sports - Mikati proud of Lebanese football team: We will support you

Tue 15/11/2011 20:27

NNA - 15/11/2011 Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the Lebanese national football team at the Grand Serail Tuesday after their victory over South Korea in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and promised to back them up both financially and morally.

In a monumental victory, Lebanon won over South Korea 2:1 at a match in Lebanon. The national team will next play against United Arab Emirates to qualify for 2014 World Cup which will be held in Brazil.

"This is a historic day for Lebanese football," said Mikati who wished he could have been present at the game, but assured the team that he and the cabinet were following up the score during the process of the cabinet session held today.

"We are by your side," Mikati told the team, then awarded each of its members 10 Million Lebanese Liras as reward for their victory.

R.Z.

Sports - Lebanon beats South Korea (2-1) at football

Tue 15/11/2011 16:27

NNA - 15/11/2011 - The Lebanese football team won on Tuesday by two goals to one against South Korea, in the play yard of Kamil Chamoun Sportive City in Beirut.

The game was attended by the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and a number of political dignitaries. The audience watching was estimated at 50,000.

Accordingly, celebrations prevailed on the sports stadium and the President congratulated the team members one by one.

Sports - Berry & Abi Ramia congratulate Football Union Head

Sun 13/11/2011 19:05

NNA - 13/11/2011 - Lebanese Football Union Head, Hashem Haidar, received calls Sunday from House Speaker, Nabih Berry, and Youth and Sports Parliamentary Committee Head, Simon Abi Ramia. Both men congratulated him on the victory of the Lebanese national football team over its fellow Kuwaiti team within the framework of final game selections for the 2014 Asian World Cup.
Haidar is also expected to visit Prime Minister, Najib Meqati, at the Grand Serail Monday afternoon, in order to discuss the mechanism for facilitating the presence of the Lebanese cheering audience during the national team's game scheduled on Tuesday against the South Korean team at Kamil Chamoun's Sports Stadium.
R.Sh.

Sports - Lebanon wins over Kuwait in FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers

Fri 11/11/2011 20:13

NNA - 11/11/2011 Lebanese Soccer team won over its Kuwaiti counterpart during FIFA World Cup qualifications Friday in Kuwait with a final score of 1:0.

Mahmud Ali scored the goal which elevated Lebanon to second place in its group.
R.Z.

Sports - Daouk: We will help Tele Liban cover sports activities

Wed 19/10/2011 12:22

NNA - 19/10/2011 - Information Minister Walid Daouk vowed on Wednesday to solve all problems to allow state owned Tele Liban TV station cover sports activities and events in Lebanon.

The minister made these remarks after meeting with head of the Sports and Youths Parliamentary Committee deputy Simone Abi Ramia and president of the Olympic Committee Antoine Chartier.

"I was honored to receive Abi Ramia and Chartier. I have long history in sports. We have discussed all sports issues and reviewed ways to encourage sports in Lebanon and especially through the media," the minister said.

Daouk added that talks focused on ways to activate the role of youths, underlining the need that athletics should refrain from smoking and must enjoy athletic spirit.

He indicated that his visitors asked the ministry to shed light on sports and to encourage Tele Liban to cover sport events.

"Tele Liban will dedicate sports programs in order to promote sports in Lebanon. I promise to solve all problems to achieve this task," the minister said.

Abi Ramia praised the minister's encouragement of sports activities in Lebanon.

"We hope, with the help of the minister, to achieve this task so that Tele Liban will be able to cover local and international sport events," the MP said.

O.H

Sports - Berri embraces youth sports

Sun 16/10/2011 13:05

NNA - 16/10/2011 Under the patronage of House Speaker Nabih Berri, an honorary celebration was held for Rida Safii Dein, elected as Deputy Assistant Secretary General of the Arab Union for traditional sports.

"We must embrace our youth and encourage their participation in sports," MP Ali Khreiss said during the Sunday ceremony in south of the country.

R.Z.

Sports - Minister Karame's activities today

Tue 27/09/2011 17:13
NNA - 27/9/2011 - Minister of Youth and Sports, Faysal Karame, on Tuesday met with the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Hillary Childz Adams, over the situation of the Lebanese Diaspora abroad.

Karame later met with head of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, Neemat Efram.

R.A.H.

Sports - Minister Karameh backs Egypt's hosting of the Mediterranean 2017 tournament

Sat 24/09/2011 15:43

NNA - 24/09/2011 - Lebanon intends to back Egypt's hosting of the 2017 Mediterranean tournament in Alexandria, Minister of Sports, Faysal Karameh, told visiting Egyptian head of the National Council for Sports, Hasan Sakr, and Egyptian Ambassador, Mohammad Toufic, today.

Taking the word, the Egyptian Ambassador presented Minister Karameh with a full dossier of the 2017 tournament in Alexandria. He also presented him with a coat-of-arms and a special medal in appreciation for his sponsoring of various sports activities.

Karameh duly reiterated Lebanon's full support for Egypt and that Lebanese delegates would vote in favor of holding the tournament in Egypt on Arab and International forums. He added that the Mediterranean tournament must be properly marketed worldwide in order to make out of the event a big success.

Karameh also expressed support for Egyptian unity progress and democracy.

Sports - Karami receives Fletcher, others

Tue 20/09/2011 14:47

NNA - 20/09/2011 - Sports and Youth Minister Faysal Karami received on Tuesday at his office the British Ambassador Tom Fletcher.
Fletcher said the main objective of his visit was to draw attention to the Olympic tournament that will take place in London in 2012.
Separately, the minister received former Deputy Bahaddine Itani, who said he informed the minister of future sports projects for youth.

Among the minister's visitors has been the retired officer Adonis Nehme.

A.M

Sports - Karami meets UPF and sports delegations

Thu 8/09/2011 17:21

NNA - 8/9/2011 Youth and Sports Minister Faysal Karami received on Thursday head of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), Tams Shalat, within an acquaintance visit.

Karami also met with a delegation of the football first ranking clubs in presence of the Ministry's general director Zeed Khiami.

L.W.

Sports - Karami reviews sports issues with his interlocutors

Tue 16/08/2011 17:32

NNA - 16/8/2011 Youth and Sports Minister Faisal Karami met on Tuesday at his Ministry office with Cypriot Ambassador to Lebanon Homer Mavromatis where they boarded relevant sports and youth issues.
Both underlined cooperation in the sports sphere between Lebanon and Cyprus.
On the other hand, Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon Ziad Mjali paid a courtesy visit on Tuesday to Minister Karami which was a chance to exchange viewpoints on bilateral relations and current regional developments. "We look forward to further cooperation between Lebanon and Jordan in the various spheres including youth and sports", Majali said.
-------------L.Y

Sports - Karami, Ozeldiz review sports issues

Tue 9/08/2011 18:26

Karami met on Tuesday morning at his Ministry office with Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon Inan Ozeldiz who said that they discussed means of activating agreements at the sports and youth levels.
On the other hand, Minister Karami met respectively with delegations of "Lebanon Youth Club", "Arab Youth Union", "Jad Association", and "Al-Azem Youths", in addition to former Deputy Faisal Daoud and Beskinta Municipality Head Tanious Ghanem.