Al-Anwar Club (Jdeideh) has been crowned the champion of Lebanon's "Sushi Star" First Division Volleyball for the year 2023, marking its fifth championship title in history. This title was secured after the team prepared to compete in the decisive fifth final match, which was designated by the Lebanese Volleyball Federation to take place at the Emile Lahoud Sports Complex in Dekwaneh - Mar Roukoz as a neutral venue. Their rival, Speedball Club, the champion of Lebanon for the last four seasons, did not attend.
In attendance were the President of the Federation, Walid Al-Qasouf, the Vice President of the Olympic Committee and Federation member Asaad Al-Nakhal, Colonel Rakan Mikhail Moussa, the Commander of the High Center for Military Sports, Secretary General of the Federation Issam Abu Joudeh, and members Asaf Mahna and Ghassan Kordahi. Also present was the officiating crew, led by international referees Hani Zailah, Elias Wahbe, and Bassam Al-Jamil, along with the administration of Al-Anwar Club, led by George Asaad Yazbek, the coaching staff led by Coach Zahi Nemer, and the players from the Metn team.
The Al-Anwar players conducted warm-ups while the Speedball team was absent. At exactly 5 PM, the head referee Hani Zailah announced that the match would not take place due to the absence of Speedball players, while Al-Anwar players were present.
Following the announcement, the trophy ceremony took place. The referees received their commemorative medals, and the Al-Anwar team and their coaching staff were awarded gold medals by distinguished guests. Al-Qasouf handed the championship cup to Al-Anwar team captain Wassim Al-Hasri amid a celebratory atmosphere.
In a congratulatory statement following the ceremony, Federation President Walid Al-Qasouf extended his congratulations to Al-Anwar for winning the Lebanon Championship title for the 2022-2023 season sponsored by "Sushi Star," and to Speedball (Shka) for securing second place and the Lebanese Army team for obtaining third place after a thrilling championship in which teams fiercely competed for the top positions.
Al-Qasouf noted that the sport of volleyball has regained its audience and technical momentum, especially with the live broadcast of the finals on the "Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International" screen. He praised the significant role of the administrative committee, technical committee, referee committee, union staff, and the large audience as well as journalists and media in supporting the championship. Additionally, he thanked "Sushi Star" and Dr. Eli Moussa (a union member and director of national teams) for sponsoring the championship, alongside the "Abi Remia Brothers" company, represented by Mr. Michel Abi Remia (the honorary president of the union) for its continuous support of Lebanese sports, particularly volleyball.