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LEBANON RUGBY LEAGUE RECEIVES WELCOME BOOST‏

Wednesday 6th January 2010

Lebanese rugby league has received a New Year boost with the announcement that the Lebanese Rugby League Committee, which runs the sport, has been accorded full federation status in the country.

Lebanese RL board member Remond Safi collected the ministerial decree from the Ministry of Youth and Sport’s Technical Affairs department on 30th December.

The Committee's old board has been largely retained - with AUB member Ghaleb Halimi replaced by Faysal Jaber the only change – and he is joined by representatives from the new clubs that were instrumental in fulfilling technical requirements.

They are, Robin Hachache, President of Immortals RLFC, Mikhael Shammas, President of Wolves RLFC, Jean Paul Zakhour, President of Jounieh RLFC and Tripoli RLFC President Remond Safi.

The remaining members represent the game’s other stakeholders, with LAU’s Sami Garabedian, Mohamed Habbous and Dr Antoine Gergess of Balamand sitting alongside independents Mireille Ziade and Danny Kazandjian.

The incumbent officials retain their positions, with Habbous’s successful administration – he has been the sport’s sole president since the formation of the LRLC in 2003 - continuing by popular consent.

“It is truly a seminal moment in the game’s growth in Lebanon and, by extension, the region” said Kazandjian. “This achievement crowns an enormous, almost indescribable amount of effort spanning two decades – the formation of Tripoli RLFC alone took around four years! Lebanese rugby league has always modelled itself on incorporating its stakeholders into the very fabric of the game and now we are seeing the advent of young Lebanese rugby league administrators into key positions.

He continued, “The clear message is that the long term roots of the game are more solid than ever and in the hands of some hugely capable and committed people. I look forward to working with the new board and the Lebanese government as the Lebanese Rugby League Federation leads the sport’s next, exciting, phase of expansion.”

Key to that expansion is the LRLF’s bid to develop its school rugby league project in partnership with the ministries of education and sport together with the launch of Tripoli RLFC as a fully functioning club.