The Lebanese Basketball Federation has officially launched its "Coaches Academy," with the mission of training and graduating coaches under the supervision of specialists. This initiative marks the first time in the federation's strategy, aimed at developing Lebanese basketball in all its aspects, including officiating.
The first training course has officially commenced with substantial participation, making it the first of its kind locally, supervised by the federation and attended by the First Vice President of the Asian Federation and President of the Lebanese Federation, Akram Halabi, his deputy Jihad Saliba, who oversees the academy, and Secretary-General Attorney Sherbel Michel Rizk. Saliba revealed that 85 trainees are participating in the first course, with two more courses scheduled before mid-June, each accommodating 85 participants, totaling 255 individuals in the foundational level courses. This significant number reflects the progress of Lebanese basketball and its notable achievements on the national and club levels.
Saliba explained that tests will be conducted, and successful candidates will receive a coaching card allowing them to train youth and age group teams, with the opportunity to participate in higher-level courses later on. The first course, held at the San George School in Zalka, consists of 30 preparatory hours divided between theoretical and practical training, with national coaches Rizkallah Zaloum and Patrick Saba, as well as observer Marwan Alameh, fitness coach Roni Jurgess, sports psychology expert Prescilla Kousouf, and sports medicine doctor Abdo Halou leading the sessions. The launch of the Coaches Academy follows the earlier establishment of a Referees Academy to train officials.
