The Lebanese rugby league, under the presidency of Mohamed Habbous, is set to host the Mediterranean Cup next month, between 2 and 9 October in Tripoli, north Lebanon, on Tripoli’s International Stadium.

The tournament, to be staged for the third successive year in Lebanon, will once again be played under the auspices of the minister of youth and sport, Dr. Sebouh Hovnanian, and in association with the municipality of Tripoli.

Lebanon, France, Morocco and Serbia & Montenegro will contest the cup, with Lebanon having won both previous editions in 2002 and 2003. The Lebanese national team, under head coach Darren Maroun, will this year field more domestically reared players than in previous tournaments, with 9 selected to join the core of experienced players from Sydney. The domestic players participating in the national squad are Hassan Taha, Lubnan Alamuddine, Gilbert Haydamous (University of Balamand); Wasim Mumneh, Jihad Ashkar, Jad Abi Nassif (American University of Beirut); Sami Halabi, Rudi Hachache, Salim Frem, Hadi Yashruti (Lebanese American University). Anthony Lteif from AUB and Elie … from NDU were chosen to join the squad as well but were unable.

Habbous clarified that the organising committee is working around the clock to ensure that the tournament will be a success, and that the stadium in Tripoli is being prepared to host the event.

The president of the LRLC drew attention that France is the main competitor to Lebanon and that the French are preparing to get revenge on Lebanon for their defeats in the first two editions of the tournament, which makes it harder for Lebanon to keep its title, although it is certain that the Lebanese players will do everything they can to keep the title.

Finally, Habbous invited spectators to watch the games in large numbers, with free entrance to the stadium to help the Lebanese spectators know the sport and to cheer for their national team which has some of the best players in the world. Habbous will hold a press conference at 11am on Wednesday 15 September in the Crowne Plaza hotel, Hamra, to officially launch the third Mediterranean Cup in the presence of the minister of youth and sport.