Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. George Klass welcomed a delegation from the Lebanese Football Association and its clubs, led by the Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation and President of the Lebanese Association Hashim Haidar. The delegation included Al-Najma Club President Mazen Al-Zaini, Al-Sahlel Club President Samir Dabbouq, Tripoli Club President Zafer Kabbara, and Al-Ahed Club Secretary General Hajj Mohammad Assi. The meeting was attended by General Director of the Public Institution for Sports Facilities Mohammad Oweidat, Head of the Public Relations Department in the ministry Hassan Sharara, and Minister's office manager Hussein Omar.
The meeting followed a delegation visit last week to Prime Minister Najib Mikati, which included an agreement to form a committee to follow up on this issue. The attendees discussed the disastrous conditions of Lebanese stadiums and the difficulty of launching the upcoming football season amidst these deteriorating circumstances. They explored legal, practical, and execution mechanisms to rehabilitate the Camille Chamoun Sports City in Beirut and other facilities belonging to the public institution.
Minister Klass informed the delegation of Prime Minister Mikati's insistence on quick action to address this issue, stating, "The ministry is ready to put facilities under the management of the private sector due to the urgent necessity and utmost importance of this matter, and the current inability of the state to maintain and rehabilitate them, but according to legal terms and clear conditions that protect state rights as well as the rights of the relevant association, its clubs, and fans."
It was agreed that the ministry would initiate the preparation of the necessary terms of reference to present as quickly as possible to the Board of Directors of the public institution for approval and announcement. A specialized engineering team will conduct a study accompanied by a nearby field tour. The attendees also discussed the conditions of other stadiums, including municipal ones, and explored potential cooperation with municipalities for their rehabilitation and management. Minister Klass expressed his readiness to play any required role with municipalities regarding their stadiums.
