Basketball Team Calls for Resignation of Lebanon's Federation
The national basketball team urged on Sunday the federation to resign after it returned to Beirut from the Philippines following Lebanon's suspension by FIBA.
During a press conference he held at Rafik Hariri International Airport, the team's coach Ghassan Sarkis said: “The team was very close to achieving the dream” of victory.
“On behalf of the players, I call on the federation to resign,” he said after he accused it of failing to work properly and being amateurish.
Sarkis called for the formation of a transitional committee and the election of a new federation that comes up with a new vision for basketball.
“There should be an Intifada,” he said. “We want reform staring tomorrow … We want a new horizon.”
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has suspended Lebanon's basketball federation for four years because of political bickering between two clubs.
"After a thorough review of the situation, FIBA notes that the LBF is not properly armed to face political interferences and solve sporting disputes within its own structures," said a statement.
Basketball is one of Lebanon's most popular sports, and top clubs are owned or funded by politicians.
FIBA stripped Lebanon this year of the hosting rights for the Asia Championship, because of the conflict in Syria.
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