The spirit of unity and determination filled Antonine University’s (UA) Hadat–Baabda Campus on September 19, as the University celebrated the Club Antonin Sportif (CAS) first division basketball team and offered a symbolic send-off ahead of the Arab Championship and the upcoming Lebanese Championship season. The event reflected UA’s pride in its basketball team and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting athletics as an essential pillar of education, community life, and national representation.

UA Rector, Rev. Fr. Michel Saghbiny, welcomed the gathering with an address in which he praised the team’s achievements during the 2024–25 season and encouraged them to aim for greater success in both the Lebanese and Arab Championships. He also commended the Lebanese Basketball Federation (FLB) for its continued efforts in advancing and supporting the sport across the country.

The event brought together prominent figures from the FLB, including Mr. Akram Halabe, President; Mr. Charbel Rizk, Secretary General of both the FLB and the West Asia Basketball Association; and Mr. Vicken Jerjian, FLB Accountant and former President of Antranik Club.

From CAS leadership, Club President Rev. Fr. Antonios Awkar, Team Manager Mr. Georges Kilzi, Head Coach Mr. Ralph Akl, Assistant Coaches Mr. Karim Yamout and Mr. Ghane AmirMahdi, Team Official Mr. Dany Choucair, Physical Trainer Mr. Dimitry Habib, Physiotherapist Dr. Georges Cherfane, Assistant Physiotherapist Mr. Sheryl Aoun, and Assistant Physical Trainer Ms. Rasha Sabbagh presented the team and rallied support for the season ahead.

The roster of players was proudly introduced: Elie Chamoun, Patrick Bou Abboud, Anthony Assi, Mark Al Khoury, Georges Choueiri, Ghassan Abou Tacca, Karl Younes, Miguel Martinez, Glenn Miller Cosey, Ricardo Julio Ledo, and Torren Lorenzo Jones.

With this symbolic send-off, UA looks forward to seeing the Antonine team shine on both regional and national stages, carrying the University’s values with pride, determination, and a winning spirit.