LAU Resumes First Intercollegiate Basketball Game Following the Covid-19 Pandemic
Oct. 26, 2021
When the returning LAU student-players stepped again into the court at Antonine University in Baabda on Oct.23, they experienced their first euphoric intercollegiate basketball game approximately two years after their practices were put on hold.
At exactly 11 P.M, male and female players basketball players gathered at LAU Beirut campus for a warming up session and went to the location of the court together.
Although the number of covid-19 patients is still increasing with a daily average of 547 new infections in Lebanon, the university’s vaccination policy guarantees that all students willing to play have been vaccinated before the start of the semester.
Based on that, audiences who were not vaccinated were strictly prohibited from watching the game.
According to the University’s Athletics coordinator, Mohammad Mawas, “the past year wasn’t easy on anyone, and a significant number of students were eager to be back in sports and play games. We are more than happy to be active again in an environment of positivity.” He added that the department is aware of what is happening regarding the pandemic and is taking the necessary measures to keep everyone safe.
During the game, the students were highly competitive, in spirit, and motivated because of getting back in action two years after the courts were ghosted, fields were closed, and student-athletes were quarantined at home studying online.
The basketball teams played against each other in full courts and were classified with respect to the campus they are enrolled in: LAU Captains (Byblos Campus) vs. LAU Sailors (Beirut Campus).
The players of each campus were divided into male and female teams. As the whistle blew, the male teams played against each other followed by the females’ game at 1:30 P.M.
As soon as the game started, tension, passion and excitement filled the atmosphere. Rawan Moucharrafieh, LAU Sailors team member, commented that even though the last year was filled with uncertainty and laziness at home, he still had the passion he had before the pandemic began and he played harder than before. “It feels really good to be back, here on court, playing and practicing as a team,” he added.
The coach blew the whistle signaling the time is over in both games. The first game (males) ended with LAU Sailors as winners while the second game (females) ended with LAU Captains taking the win back home with victory and dedication.
