WLCU-British Columbia council Qualified by TechSoup Canada`s donations program

Lebanese Rugby team.
From the pen of Ken Hanna.27^th October 2015.

Lebanon 38. South Africa 12.Sunday 25^th October 2015, right here in Brakpan. South Africa  At the Bosman stadium  a National Lebanon Rugby League  team  played..The time 3.00.p.m.

Believe me this is for real. It is not a joke.

“A photo of the Lebanese Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Ara Khatchadourian welcoming the Lebanese Team to South Africa,at a garden cocktail party, on the lawns at the Embassy in Pretoria South Africa”

The day before the Lebanese Ambassador, and his good lady His Excellency Mr. Ara and Madam Myrriam Khatchadourian  entertained the team.

They introduced them to the community and welcomed them to South Africa.

It was a momentous occasion.

The following day was Brakpan.No one knew what to expect.

Lebanese South Africans know Rugby Union. What was Rugby League like.

There were pleasant surprises.

“A photo at the match.Jade Hanna, Tarryn Hanna , great Uncle,Ken Hanna  and Rene”.

Firstly the  enthusiastic lebanese Community supported the match.

The vibe was wonderful and the game pulsating.

The Lebanese are a good side. They play non stop rugby .The game is fast  and there are very few stoppages .There are 13 players as opposed to 15 in the “Union” game.

“People of the Cedars’ spoke to the President of the South African Rugby League federation Mr. Kobus Botha, to find out more about the game.

The Lebanese team is partly sponsored by the International Rugby league federation.

We then asked the Manager of the Lebanese side, Mr. Ramon Safi, where the money came from. “It is sponsorships”.The Lebanese Government has also been approached, and the team are awaiting a positive response.

Mr. Safi also mentioned that the side comprised 16 Lebanese from Australia and 4 from Lebanon.

There are eight university teams in Lebanon.Six clubs. There are 2 regional school structures each with six teams catering for 14,16, and 18 year olds.

“People of the Cedars” met with the team after the match and presented the Manager, the Captain and the Head Coach with a gift to remind them of their visit to South Africa.

A book “People of the Cedars” a 20^th Century insight into the Lebanese South African Community.

The captain of the side, who is from Haddeth el Joube, in North Lebanon, has assured the community that they will up their game on Saturday 31^st October 2015 in Brakpan  at the Bosman Stadium  at 3.00.p.m in a return encounter.SEE YOU THERE.

Kick off 3.00.p.m.

“Left to right. Mitchell Mamary  ,Ken Hanna  and Elias Sukkar “.

 

Ken Hanna.                                                                                                   Honorary Projects coordinator.

“People of the Cedars”                                                                                        Serving the Lebanese South African Community.