The Office of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation at the University of Balamand (UOB) hosted the athletic awards ceremony on May 30, 2023, at the Koura campus. The event was attended by Dr. Elias Warrak, President of the University of Balamand, Ms. Nissrine Al Zein, representing Dr. Georges Kellas, Minister of Youth and Sports, Archimandrite Georges Yaacoub, the Oikonomos of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of our Lady of Balamand, Deans, Directors and UOB's athletes from all campuses.
The ceremony celebrated the remarkable achievements of the UOB’s athletes throughout the year. A total of 30 awards were presented, acknowledging excellence in various sports disciplines and outstanding contributions to the athletic community. The recipients of the awards were as follows:
- - 21 Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards were presented to athletes nominated by their coaches for their exceptional performance.
- - Wael Sleiman and Sandra Sleiman were honored with the Sportsmanship awards for their exemplary conduct on and off the field.
- - Elie Dagher and Wafaa Jreij received the Leadership awards, recognizing their outstanding leadership skills within their respective teams.
- - Antonios Moukari and Tina Moussi were named Athletes of the Year, highlighting their remarkable achievements and contributions to the University's athletic program.
- - Gaby Dawra and Karim Olabi were presented with the Appreciation Award, acknowledging their valuable contributions.
The President's Award for Outstanding Coach and Team Achievement was presented to coach Jad Yammine and the FUTSAL team, recognizing the coach Yammine’s exceptional coaching abilities and the remarkable team accomplishments in 2023. Notably, the FUTSAL team's outstanding performance led them to secure both the FSUL Cup and League titles for 2023.
During the ceremony, Prof. Rami Abboud, VP for Internationalization and Engagement and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, delivered an inspiring speech. In his address, he expressed profound pride and joy in celebrating the achievements of the University's athletes. Prof. Abboud emphasized the University of Balamand's commitment to fostering a well-rounded educational experience that extends beyond the classroom. He commended the athletes for their unwavering commitment, discipline, and passion, encouraging them to use their intelligence and demonstrate humility in their pursuits.
Prof. Abboud also highlighted the collective effort and support system that contributed to the athletes' success. He expressed gratitude to the coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, families, and friends who provided guidance and nurtured the athletes on their journeys. Additionally, he recognized the unwavering commitment of President Dr. Elias Warrak and Mr. Ghaleb Halimi, Director of Athletics, Wellness, and Recreation, for their dedication to sports and the development of state-of-the-art facilities for the athletes.
The University of Balamand takes pride in its athletic program and remains committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals who can make a positive impact in society and the world.
