The Department of Psychology, Education, and Physical Education at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) recently organized for the 9th consecutive year its annual symposium titled, “Coaching Elite Sport in Lebanon.” The symposium’s aim is twofold: 1) to provide Physical Education and Sport (PES) students with a more practical approach to the science of coaching high-performance sport, and 2) to promote academic interest in sports to effect positive change in Lebanese society.
Guest speakers were renowned Lebanese experts in their respective disciplines, such as:
Marwan Khalil, Lebanese first division Louaize Club men’s basketball team head coach and assistant coach of the Lebanese national basketball team that is currently competing for the fourth time to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Khalil said of the team’s effort, “As long as you have a clear vision and you know where you are heading, nothing can stop you." He added, “The main quality of a coach, especially in Lebanon, is his ability to survive.”
Wissam Abi Nader, head coach of MMA Team Tristar Lebanon, home of the Middle East top MMA amateur and professional fighters, said, "Minimize your weaknesses and leverage your strengths." Abi Nader was a former member of the Lebanese national judo team and competed in several regional and international competitions.
Finally, Elie Abouchedid, head coach of the Lebanese beach volleyball national team. Abi Chedid holds an M.A. in PES and was a former professional volleyball and beach volleyball player who represented Lebanon in several international competitions.
Student feedback was extremely positive given the wealth of information they received during the symposium, which helped them gain new insights into working in this challenging field.