Source: Forbes
Security & Justice
Southern Lebanon Endures Massive Damage: 40,000 Homes Leveled Across 37 Towns
Israeli forces have systematically destroyed entire neighborhoods in southern Lebanon, leveling more than 37 towns and wiping out over 40,000 residential units, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Gaps in Coastal Radar Enabled Israeli Raid in Batroun, Army Commander Says
Lebanon’s army chief, General Joseph Aoun, detailed to Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati how Israeli forces likely exploited gaps in the country's coastal radar system during the recent raid carried out in Batroun. The briefing comes as Lebanese officials seek answers on how Israel’s elite Shayetet 13 unit carried out the landing undetected.
Monday, November 4, 2024
Opinion
My Hope for Lebanon
A company of Lebanese soldiers assigned to maintain order in this anxious wartime capital is gathered at its headquarters 100 yards from the Mediterranean. I make the blunder of asking their commander how many of his men are Shiites, Sunnis, Christians and Druze.
Monday, November 4, 2024
The Emptying of Baalbek Is a Moment to Take Stock
“Large numbers of people continue to flee their homes every day, as Israel’s military operations in Lebanon have been going on unabated.” These disturbing words could be from almost any news report about Israel’s invasion of its northern neighbour over the past month. However, they can be found in a report by the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre issued on July 27, 2006.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Sports
FC Barcelona Fears First Team Star Will Be Banned From Playing, Reports SPORT
FC Barcelona is concerned that one of its main first-team stars will be banned from playing at the turn of 2025 because of issues related to his registration and Financial Fair Play (FFP) limits according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Tottenham Forward Son Heung-min Crowned Asia’s International Player of the Year
Tottenham forward Son Heung-min was crowned as Asia’s International Player of the Year for the fourth time by the Asian Football Confederation at its annual awards ceremony Tuesday.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Thursday 24 August 2023 12:45:21
2023 FIBA World Cup: Lebanon’s Wael Arakji Aims For More Than Just Taking Part
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 19th edition of the world of Basketball’s worldwide event. The Championship will involve 32 teams, the second time such a format has been adopted, and it will take place across several countries: the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will collectively serve as hosts.
Games are scheduled to take place between August 25 and September 10, 2023.
Among these 32 teams, 8 are the representatives of the Asian continent. These teams are Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Philippines.
Ranked 43 in the FIBA Men’s World Ranking, Lebanon is making a comeback to the tournament for the first time since 2010 thanks to their impressive performances in the Asia Qualifiers.
Lebanon became the first Asian team to qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, clinching their qualification ticket with two windows to spare.
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 19th edition of the world of Basketball’s worldwide event. The Championship will involve 32 teams, the second time such a format has been adopted, and it will take place across several countries: the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will collectively serve as hosts.
Games are scheduled to take place between August 25 and September 10, 2023.
Among these 32 teams, 8 are the representatives of the Asian continent. These teams are Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Philippines.
Ranked 43 in the FIBA Men’s World Ranking, Lebanon is making a comeback to the tournament for the first time since 2010 thanks to their impressive performances in the Asia Qualifiers.
Lebanon became the first Asian team to qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, clinching their qualification ticket with two windows to spare.
In 2013, FIBA forced a ban on the Lebanese Basketball federation preventing its teams from participating in international FIBA events due to political interference in Lebanese basketball. Consequently, Lebanon couldn’t participate in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and thus missing the chance to fight for a place at the 2014 World Cup. The ban was lifted in 2014 after the election of a new basketball federation.
Lebanon's most noteworthy victories at the World Cup came against Canada and France, and interestingly, they are set to cross paths with these same two teams in the upcoming matches.
In 2006, Lebanon achieved a stunning victory by defeating France with a narrow score of 74-73. Rony Fahed’s crucial three-pointer with just a minute and a half left to play surprised not only France but also the entire basketball world. The Cedars offered their country one of its most remarkable moments in its sporting history.
After failing to directly qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, Lebanon received a wildcard spot ensuring them a third consecutive appearance.
Lebanon fell short of qualifying to the Round of 16 but their memorable 81-71 victory against Canada remains a cherished topic of conversation among the Lebanese basketball community to this day.
The Pre-Tournament Friendlies
Lebanon played five friendly games prior to the World Championship. They beat Iran and Egypt and lost to Ivory Coast, Mexico, and the University of Arizona at the last check.
Not the results Lebanese fans were expecting, but considering the quality of the Cedars’ roster, they will be hoping for better performances.
Wael Arakji: Lebanon’s basketball superstar. Arakji “El Rahib” – “The Fearsome” is the reigning Asia Cup MVP and the first Arab to be awarded the title in the tournament’s 63-year history. He’s an eight-time Lebanese League Champion and has been successfully leading his country these previous years and will be finally looking to showcase his talent on the world stage. He’s explosive, clinical and decisive.
Omari Spellman: a name that needs no introduction. Spellman was the 30th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Coach Jad Al-Hajj chose the former NBA’s Golden State Warriors player as the naturalized pick to bolster the roster. A big contribution is expected from the former NBA player.
Amir Saoud: The Sniper. Recovering from an injury, Saoud’s experience and clutch decisions will be much needed.
Paris 2024 Olympics
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 offers a valuable opportunity for direct qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Asian team that performs the best in the World Cup will earn a spot in the qualifying rounds for the Paris Olympics.
Lebanon's hopes of a first Olympic qualification hinge on their performance in Indonesia during the 2023 World Cup.
The Roster
Wael Arakji – Ali Mansour – Jad Khalil – Ali Mezher – Amir Saoud – Karim Zeinoun – Sergio Darwich – Mark Khoury – Hayk Gyokchian – Karim Ezzedine – Ali Haidar – Omari Spellman
Group Play Schedule
August 25: Lebanon vs. Latvia (11:15 a.m. UTC+2)
August 27: Lebanon vs. Canada (11:45 a.m. UTC+2)
August 29: Lebanon vs. France (11:45 a.m. UTC+2)
As the Cedars play their first FIBA World Cup match tomorrow, they stand poised to make history in the tournament, with their sights set on their first-ever Olympics participation.
