BEIRUT (Lebanon) - FIBA Regional Office - Asia organized the first-ever Sports Performance Specialist (SPS) program in Amchit, Lebanon from 6-7 August at Michel Slieman Stadium.

The Sports Performance Specialist Program (SPS) is the Regional Office's latest initiative that aims to empower local physical trainers in Asia and to promote strength and conditioning in the national teams and local clubs.

"As part of our long‐term strategy, and with the support of the Regional Office, the Sports Performance Specialist program was proudly brought to Lebanon for the purpose of developing basketball," said Charbel Rizk, Secretary General of the Lebanese Basketball Federation (LBF).

"For LBF, this program presented a great opportunity to enhance and update the knowledge of the local basketball coaches, personal trainers, S&C coaches and physical therapists." he added.

The objectives of the SPS program are to instruct coaches, athletes, and stakeholders regarding the strength and conditioning of the Basketball game; spread awareness through education to have better return on investments for basketball clubs and managements; have a pool of local candidates to hire qualified strength and conditioning coaches for planning and implementing programs across national teams and clubs; improve the athletic capabilities of the national teams and Clubs by building young generations with proper biomechanics/human movement; and decrease injury incidence among players.

"It was a great experience, learning the strength and conditioning techniques and concept in order to enhance our knowledge as coaches especially that I am coaching younger ages," said one participant, Anthony Raad.

The Regional Office, through this program, is aiming to lay the foundation of physical training, through education, to elevate the standard of strength and conditioning coaches in basketball.

FIBA