Sharing Sports Facilities with the Local Community

LAU Jr. NBA Makes a Strong Comeback

The third edition of the Jr. NBA draft draws hundreds of eager young players and well-known Lebanese basketball personalities.

Making a strong comeback after a halt due to the pandemic, the event, emceed by sports commentator Anthony Majdalani, hosted alumnus and player on the Lebanese National Basketball team Jad Khalil (BS ’21) and General Secretary of the Lebanese Basketball Federation Charbel Rizk, who encouraged and inspired the young hopefuls to stay positive and take any setbacks in their stride.

In partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), LAU was the first to bring the world-class Jr. NBA to the country in 2018, the NBA’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls that aims to instill core values of the game in young players and help them take their talent to the next level.

During the draft event, young players from each of the 30 local academies are matched with an NBA team, after which they face off in a basketball tournament – playing a series of games in a regular season to qualify for the finals – under the names and brands of the official NBA teams. The tournament was completed two years in a row before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking about how the game had shaped him into the person he is today, Khalil emphasized the values that a person gains from being a basketball player. “Sports plants in you values that you may not realize now,” he said. “But, down the road, you will see how basketball, and sports in general, prepare you for everything in life.”

He urged the young players to persevere, assuring them that negativity is short-lived. “Visualizing wearing this jersey, and living this dream, will hopefully plant in you a dream and will keep you working to make sure it comes true,” he said.

LAU President Michel E. Mawad underlined the significance behind building a spirit of sportsmanship as that of building a spirit of effort. “Not necessarily of winning, but the spirit of effort of doing your best to win; and that’s life,” he said. “All you have to do is try and I want you to try your best. We need people like you in Lebanon, people who try to do the best for their country, for themselves, their societies, their environment, their families and their fellow citizens.”

It is every basketball player’s dream to play in the NBA, and for LAU Director of Athletics on Byblos campus Joe Moujaes, it was a reason to have a Jr. NBA program in Lebanon. “It was a dream for me to play in the NBA when I was young, and I couldn’t do it,” he said, “But I want one of you to do it and that’s why I brought NBA to Lebanon.”

In light of the difficulties that Lebanon is experiencing, Rizk reminded the young audience that if the country is falling apart, they must all stand by it. “It doesn’t have to give us anything, but it is for us to give to it,” he said. “We win with honor; we lose with pride!” He expressed his gratitude to LAU “for believing in basketball and the youth, and for believing in sports and Lebanon.”  

Some of this year’s participants had also experienced Jr. NBA during its first editions pre-COVID-19. Bahaa Itani, who currently plays with Riyadi Beirut club said that “it was one of the greatest experiences and one of the best tournaments I’ve played.”

For Kyle Moujaes, now with the Brainers Hawks club, participating in the Jr. NBA “taught me a lot, and helped me grow as a player.” His goal for this year’s Jr. NBA was merely “to have fun and win.”

By bringing back some hope to these young boys and girls, this year’s Jr. NBA should also be a beneficial experience and allow them to grow in their athletic careers and as individuals as well.

Rizk receives a token of recognition of the Lebanese Basketball Federation’s great work from Dr. Mawad, in the presence of VP for Student Development and Enrollment Management Elise Salem, Joe Moujaes, and deans of students Raed Mohsen and Jad Abdallah.

The Jr. NBA draft event drew more than 350 young basketball players from 30 academies.

Speaking about how the game had shaped him into the person he is today, alumnus Jad Khalil emphasized the values that a person gains from being a basketball player.

Byblos Campus Athletics Facilities

The Byblos campus has two outdoor courts, an indoor weight lifting room and other facilities for specific sports. Off-campus sports facilities are used when necessary for games, tournaments, etc.

Kahraba Stadium: Located in Zouk Michael area, very close to the Kaslik exist on the Beirut Tripoli Highway. Take the left turn after modish fashion shop. The court has a wooden floor that best serve our basketball varsity trainings and league games.

Ghazir Club Stadium: Court in Ghazir area, next to Casnio Du Liban intersection. That hosts our volleyball team trainings, and our indoor soccer trainings. It was selected for the very convenient distance from the Byblos campus.

LAU Byblos outdoor courts: The outdoor courts, located next to the cafeteria building. That can host mini-football, tennis, volleyball and basketball. Their surface is a solid surface, the courts were newly renovated.

Athletico Club: Located on the Metn area- Dbayeh. The court is a state of the art green field it is considered the best facility for football in the region.

Byblos Club stadium: Located in the city of Jbeil. That hosts the trainings of our volleyball teams. It was selected for the very convenient distance from the Byblos campus. The court has a wooden floor that was newly renovated.

Rimal club: Located in Zouk area, on the Sea road. That hosts our swimming team trainings.

Weight lifting room and cardio vascular: Situated in the student lounge building equipped with showers/wc and changing rooms for both men and women. The weight lifting room contains all necessary machines for mainly all muscles. The facility is open for students from 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m.

Table Tennis and Billiard area: Located in the student lounge building equipped with necessary equipment from table tennis tables, billiard table and chess boards that can entertain our students from 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m.

Aerobics Room: Located in dorms block A room 90, that has its showers and music system, all aerobics, yoga, aikido sessions are scheduled there.

LAU’s Youth Sports Academy

LAU’s Youth Sports Academy offers young participants of all skill levels training and practice in different sports (Basketball [currently on hold], Tennis [currently on hold], and Swimming [collaboration]) under the supervision of experienced coaches in the safe and friendly environment of the LAU Beirut campus. Training camps, friendlies and possibly Competitions against other academies, and intensive training during holidays are among the several activities of the LAU Youth Sports Academy.

Recent studies have shown that exercising helps children: 

• Study and perform better on tests
• Stay positive and energized, even off the field 
• Make friendships that last a lifetime

Give your kids the gift of athletics by enrolling them in LAU’s Youth Sports Academy.

Why join LAU YSA?

• Acquire or improve on fundamental techniques
• Develop moral principles and characteristics such as dedication, teamwork, discipline, respect, self-confidence and sportsmanship.
• Enhance your skills and performances in competition
• Practice in well-maintained and supervised facilities. 
• Stand a chance of obtaining an athletic scholarship at LAU.

Contact Us

For further information, please contact us by e-mail or call us on 03-791314, ext. 1317. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

FSUL League

Our SAILORS are ready for the final stages of the FSUL! Here’s this week’s schedule for the upcoming matches.

Christmas Summer Camp

Don’t miss out on our swimming Christmas camp starting tomorrow!

Ping Pong League

Are you a Ping Pong lover?
The Fitness Club, Beirut campus, invites you to participate in the upcoming ping pong tournament.
If interested, register your name at the stand located on campus during the set dates.

Basketball Christmas Camp