The Lebanese Basketball Federation officially announced the "Coaches Academy" under its umbrella during a crowded press conference held at the "Antoine Choueiry Basketball Center." Its mission is to graduate and train coaches under the supervision of specialists for the first time as part of the plan adopted by the President and members of the federation to develop Lebanese basketball in all its aspects. Present were Federation President Akram Halabi, his deputies Jihad Saliba and Tamma Jaroody, Secretary-General Attorney Charbel Michel Rizk, Treasurer Vikine Jergian, Federation members Haik Tabakian and Eli Khalil, President of Beirut Club Nadeem Hakim, President of "NSI" Badi Said, committee members, coaches, and media representatives.
The Lebanese national anthem opened the event, followed by a speech from Halabi who said, “I welcome each and every one of you, and we have begun the second phase of realizing our dream, which is the establishment of the Coaches Academy after setting up the Referees Academy in a previous stage. Our goal is to graduate coaches according to the rules of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), from youth coaches to first division and national team coaches, away from trading and speculation.” Halabi added, “I hope other sports federations will take a similar step in this field, as Lebanese sports will transition to full and serious professionalism.”
Deputy Federation President and Coaches Committee Head Jihad Saliba spoke in detail about the structure of the Coaches Academy, thanking Federation President Akram Halabi and his fellow committee members for their trust. Saliba discussed the organization of coaches’ work within a development plan for basketball in cooperation with the members of the newly established Coaches Committee. He mentioned that clubs and academies were contacted regarding the coaching matter and that "we received many responses." Saliba talked about the four coaching levels from first to fourth. Training courses will start under the supervision of national coaches Rizkallah Zloum and Patrick Saba in all Lebanese regions. After the examinations, certificates will be distributed to coaches and female coaches.
Saliba requested those interested in inquiries about the subject to call the number: 71-582377 or to visit the federation’s headquarters on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. He considered that participation will later be opened to those interested from neighboring countries. In response to a question, Saliba stated that "the participation fee for the training course is 150 US dollars." At the end, Halabi and Saliba answered questions and inquiries from media representatives.
