At the invitation of Democratic Gathering bloc member MP Akram Chehayeb, Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Georges Kallas toured the cities of Aley and Bhamdoun, which included visiting sports facilities in the area and learning about the local youth sports movement.
The Minister of Youth and Sports began his visit with a lunch at Chehayeb's residence, in the presence of the Progressive Socialist Party's Aley Interior Commissioner Youssef Daibes, members of the administrative board of Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli Aley Club, and former Director General of the Civil Servants' Cooperative, educational advisor Anwar Daw.
Afterwards, the guests headed to the Amin Abdel Nour Stadium in Bhamdoun, where they were received by Mayor Dr. Philip Matta, who explained the current status of the stadium and the plan developed for its rehabilitation. The delegation also watched part of a youth team match belonging to Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli Aley Club.
This was followed by a visit to the headquarters of Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli Club in Aley, where Minister Kallas toured the sports facility, met the staff, and learned about the frameworks of cooperation between the mountain club and the AIM Academy, which aims to create a positive sports culture, especially among youth and adolescents. Kallas praised all of these activities and the efforts made by Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli and the Academy.
On this occasion, member of the Executive Committee of the Lebanese Football Association and Secretary of Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli Aley Club, Wael Chehayeb, honored Minister Kallas with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the club and the academy in appreciation of his tireless work in serving youth and sports.
The Minister concluded his visit to Aley with the opening of the sports and entertainment facility JUMPZ, owned by Hilal Jaber, which will provide the city of Aley with a recreational, cultural, and educational outlet for the new generation.
On this occasion, Kallas delivered a speech stating: “His Excellency, my generous brother Akram Chehayeb, honored me by inviting me to visit him, and honored me even further by sponsoring the launch of this youth and sports forum, JUMPZ PARK, in the city of Aley—the national metropolis of high standing in Lebanon and beyond in the hearts of Arabs and the conscience of the diaspora, bearing the banner of Lebanese accord as a civilizational hallmark whose message is that the flavor of Lebanon springs from here, its dignity is derived from the dignity of the Mountain, and its quality is rooted in its diversity… for if a foundation stone is reinforced, structures rise, and if a color glows brightly, all colors radiate.”
Kallas added: “The focal point of interest on this evening, blessed by the Lord and guarded by the champions of patriotism, the makers of genuine accord, and the bearers of steadfast, insightful, and visionary Lebanese decision-making, is for a national leadership like Walid Jumblatt to take the initiative to establish the pillars of peaceful coexistence and civilizational interaction, mindful of the courage of openness, protective of national choices, appreciative of the meaning of martyrdom, and deeply respectful of sacrifices… for every drop of blood is Lebanese blood, and every youth belongs to us and is from us, raising the slogan that we are all for Lebanon and all of Lebanon is for all Lebanese.”
Kallas continued: “At a time when we are fighting to protect our society and fortify it against the dangers of social scourges—the deadliest of which are the influx of drugs and the fatal surge of online gambling, both protected and monopolistic, which cause bankruptcies and suicides among young people in full view of the government, in earshot of the public, to the grief of parents, amid the silence of intellectuals, the stillness of educators, and the neglect of officials, whether through deafness or turning a blind eye to this soft genocide threatening future generations—at this very time, fine developmental initiatives emerge that build capacities, encourage skills, keep pace with the aspirations of generations and the expectations of youth, and support their activities, such as this high-caliber club in whose grounds we gather today, which cares for youth through training, recreation, and education. We appreciate the efforts made by dedicated members of the community to be a supporting force, a watchful eye, a protective hand, and enlightened minds eager to train our children and guide them toward the arts and peace, believing that the morale of the nation stems from the morale of its youth.”
He added: “Allow me to recall some of your efforts at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, whether in suppressing and combating the corruption of university licensing, shutting down the bazaars selling diplomas and commercializing honorary doctorates along with other abuses, or what was proposed and approved regarding the enhancement of sports development programs within the curricula. I have always said that no matter how much we spend on school sports and promoting and generalizing them in universities and towns, the cost remains far less than the cost of medical treatment and healthcare, should sports not have their proper place in our lives. This is a social and health policy endorsed by the World Health Organization, supported and accompanied by the World Government Summit held annually in the United Arab Emirates.”
Kallas concluded: “Together with all of you, we say yes to education through sports, and yes to supporting this type of institution that guards and nurtures age groups that require deep care and expertise to accompany their growth, guide them athletically, and fortify them morally,” calling on municipalities and the private sector to “take the initiative to establish clubs, centers, and sports facilities and to invest in sports and sophisticated recreation as a continuation of their developmental path that nurtures youth, encourages them to build self-confidence, and enables them to be a future force and a moral role model that we protect and take pride in.”
