Libyan Basketball: A Golden Age Dawns

In a milestone from the age of Libyan basketball, and amid an unprecedented momentum of historical achievements, the Libyan Basketball Federation is making a qualitative shift that deserves to be at length. After Al -Ahly Club, Tripoli, won the title of African Professional League championship (Bal) as the first Libyan club to achieve this continental achievement, and reaching the Club World Cup Finals, the Libyan sports street finds itself in front of a new stage of ambitions and challenges.

And because the event does not stop at the borders of the clubs, but rather extends to the national team, which is preparing to run in the upcoming African Nations Championship in Angola, questions are increased about the present and future of the game, and the plans set to invest this exceptional momentum in creating a comprehensive renaissance that restores the Libyan basketball to its place due to the regional and international scene.

At this extremely sensitive timing, an expanded meeting with the President of the Libyan Basketball Federation, Fouad Barghash, had to talk about the secrets of this remarkable shift, evaluate the technical and administrative experience, and the plans set for the next stage, including the future of the Sunni teams, expanding the base of the game, and the financial and structural challenges facing clubs and federation alike, in this dialogue with the newspaper “Al -Wasat”:

• In the beginning .. We bless Al -Ahly, Tripoli, to the Confederations World Cup, how do you see this event?
– Happy with this qualification, and what Al -Ahly Tripoli has achieved is a common pride for everyone who belongs to the Libyan, Arab and African basketball family.

– To see the number “502” of the “Al -Wasat” newspaper .. Click here

Historical qualification puts Libyan basketball in front of new responsibilities and greater challenges, and enhances the ceiling of future aspirations, whether at the level of the development of the game locally or by strengthening attendance in continental and international competitions. Al -Ahly recorded its name and the name of Libya in the heroes record.

• What is the role of the basketball union in supporting Al -Ahly during its successful African career? Are there future directions and plans to support other clubs?
– The Libyan Federation has a pivotal and essential role in paving the way for Al -Ahly Tripoli to achieve this remarkable continental achievement. The beginning was from the inside by working to develop the structure of the domestic league, and organize it professionally and disciplined, which produced a healthy competitive environment that has been positively reflected on the performance of Libyan clubs, headed by Al -Ahly. The matter did not stop at the local border, but the efforts of the Libyan Union extended to include direct coordination with the African Basketball Confederation, as we succeeded in persuading them to give Libya the right to host one of the continental qualifying stages, which Al -Ahly invested in the optimal way, to succeed in overcoming that stage with great ability.

From there, follow -up and support continued on our part, as we presented all possible forms of support, from logistical support to organizational consultations, through the preparation of the administrative and technical atmosphere that helped the team to devote himself to focusing on its primary goal, which is the coronation. As for future plans, we in the Libyan Union believe that every club holds the Libyan brigade in foreign forums deserves all support. We dealt with this principle previously, as we provided similar support to Al -Ahly Benghazi during its last participation in the “Bal” championship, and the fruit of that was the team’s arrival in the final match, and its fierce competition for the title. Our approach is clear: we stand at the same distance from all clubs.

• Is Al -Ahly Tripoli able to represent Libya as appropriate in the Confederations Cup? Is there a special format?
I trust in Al -Ahly’s ability to present an honorable picture. This trust does not come from a vacuum, but rather is based on the clear seriousness of the club administration and the work of hard work during its recent continental participation, which was crowned with the African title. Al -Ahly Tripoli did not reach this global stage except the result of determination and insistence that are not evident, and an integrated sports project that was put into practice by the club management, and there is close cooperation that exists between clubs and federation departments, which includes facilitating all procedures and providing all possible forms of support.

• Is there a trend from the federation to launch a professional league or enter partnerships to develop local championships?
– The federation is working according to a clear -cut strategic plan, since the current board of directors has been launched, and consists of five main pillars aimed at the comprehensive advancement of the game at all levels.

Al -Ittihad today reached the third stage of this plan, after we first started returning the activity to the Libyan stadiums after periods of stopping, which is an indispensable foundation stage, then we moved to the development of the General League Championship, in terms of structuring, organization and technical level. The third stage, which we are currently living, is the active and honorable external existence, and we have achieved remarkable success through the brilliance of Libyan clubs continental, led by Al -Ahly Tripoli. The Union is now preparing to start implementing the fourth and fifth phases of the plan, namely: the development of the Sunni groups as the backbone of the future of the game, and the renewal of blood within the technical, administrative and arbitration cadres, with the aim of creating an integrated system capable of keeping pace with the modernization, and raising the level of professionalism in management and playing alike.

• The African championship draw fell in a difficult group in a difficult group .. How do you evaluate these chances?
– The national team is entering the championship with an indisputable determination, despite the difficulty of the group that includes teams with a long history and a remarkable presence on the African scene, led by Angola host, southern Sudan ascending strongly, and Guinea with balanced performance. Nevertheless, we have high confidence and combat spirit that reflects insistence on honoring the country. The Libyan team is due to external participation after an absence of about 15 years due to the country’s circumstances, but this absence did not weaken the spirit of competition among the players, but rather increased their desire to prove self and raised the Libyan flag in international forums.

• In the context of preparations, was a special preparation plan for the team? What are the most prominent camps?
– The preparations are going according to a deliberate plan prepared by the technical staff, led by the coach of the national team, Fouad Abu Shaqra, who has a rich vision and experience, as he was able to instill in the players a new professional culture, and leads a coherent art project, and we aim to reach the highest levels of readiness before the start of the competitions, especially since the group is among the strongest groups in the tournament. The Union granted the technical staff full of powers to put the most appropriate program.

– To see the number “502” of the “Al -Wasat” newspaper .. Click here

The preparation plan depends on two basic stages: the first is related to the establishment of an internal camp, to collect players and work to raise harmony between them, as well as focus on the physical and tactical aspects. As for the second stage, it is the establishment of an external camp, which is expected to be permeated by a number of friendly matches with strong teams, with the aim of testing readiness, and contacting various levels in preparation for entering the championship atmosphere.

• Do you think that local players are able to lead the national team, or will the biggest bet will be on professionals abroad?
Local players represent the backbone of the national team, and their contributions were and still are essential in every entitlement. We have local talents that have proven themselves strongly, and emerge in each championship new optimistic names, and it is necessary to benefit from the presence of professional players abroad, who have additional experiences as a result of their contact with more advanced patrols. The use of professionals is normal and followed in all teams.

• Did the national team receive special financial support from the state or from any sponsor?
– The state has never been late in providing the necessary support to the national team, especially during the previous posts that witnessed a tangible commitment from the Ministry of Sports and the relevant government agencies. We have touched a great seriousness from the official authorities in dealing with the basketball file, and there is a real awareness of the importance of this sport as a lever of Libyan sports in general. Al -Ittihad has developed an integrated plan for preparing the national team for the next participation, and it was submitted to the responsible authorities that deal with confidence with these bodies.

• In the context of seeking development, do you have a clear strategy to explore emerging talents and expand the practice base?
– Expanding the game base is one of the most prominent priorities of the Federation in the next stage, especially in light of the challenges facing the game on more than one level, most notably the absence of direct financial support, and the clubs lack the human and technical capabilities to build new generations of players. We are fully aware that the future of Libyan basketball starts from Al Qaeda, by discovering and developing emerging talents in various regions of Libya, so we put in our plan a mechanism to expand the game geographically by organizing championships for age groups, and intensifying activities in areas with weak sports structure.

How do you evaluate the reality of the Sunni teams? Is there a tendency to invest in age groups?
The Sunni teams represent the cornerstone of any successful sports project, which is the key to sustainability and the true development of the game in the long run. The matter is not limited to financing, but there is also a clear shortage of technical cadres inside the clubs, as many of them do not have experiences or competencies capable of discovering talents, and refining them as required, and this deficiency is reflected directly at the level of the Sunni teams, which need a strong base, qualified trainers, and modern training curricula, to make a real international player.

Finally .. What message would you like to send to the Libyan fans with the start of the African Championship?
– I invite the fans to support the national team in the African Nations Championship, as our team represents every Libyan jealous of the banner of his country. The support of the fans is the real fuel for the players, which we are betting on in our next journey. Be as we have promised you, always, the first supporter and the greatest incentive to achieve achievement.

A snapshot of the national basketball team match with its Ugandan counterpart. (Archive: Internet)