ABOUT US
The Lebanese Ice Hockey Federation (LIHF), also known as Lebanon Hockey® and/or Hockey Lebanon®, is the governing body overseeing the Lebanese Local and international Ice Hockey teams and players development programs. Currently based in Montreal, Canada with youth operations based in Beirut, Lebanon. The LIHF also manages the Lebanese National team at international tournaments, events, and exhibition games.
We have achieved a lot since our federation was created in May 2018.
In October 2018, we received the Lebanese Ministry of Sports decree, renewed the 14th of July 2022, as the official federation representing hockey in Lebanon & Internationally. In September 2019, our Federation became an official Associate member of the IIHF. In February 2020, we completed the last milestone and became official member of the Lebanese Olympic Committee.
In 2021, our Federation has been elected to sit on the board of the IIHF Associate Committee Working Group, along with Argentina, North-Macedonia & Ireland, plus Mexico & Bosnia-Herzegovina as Advisors. This will help us grow our federation in every aspect.
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We are advanced in the process of evaluating the financial & feasibility studies of building the first Multi-disciplinary Ice-Rink complex in Lebanon.
’’We still have a long way & tough road ahead of us, but with our collective belief in our mission & passion to represent our roots, I have
no doubt that we will overcome any obstacle’’
– Charles El-Mir, President
OUR STORY
The Men's Team first non-official starts was a friendly game vs Haiti in May 2017. Benefiting from this event's success, we played many similar friendship-exhibition games as well as Club’s tournaments in Abu Dhabi (UAE), which led us to officially create the LIHF in May 2018.
The Women’s team was launched in December 2018, at McGill University, with camps & games in Montreal & Ottawa (Aug. 2019), Toronto’s camp & games (Dec. 2019) and Paris Camp & Friendship games vs U-18 French National team (Aug. 2021)
In May 2023, our Men's National team participated in Kuwait Arab Cup, won the Gold & Champion of the First Arab Nation Cup.
Many activities are planned for 2024 & 2025, Men's & Women's National team: Challenge Series (Chicago, New York & Toronto), LATAM Cup (Miami) and Asian Winter Games (China).
MISSION & VALUES
The LIHF has been created to advance hockey initiatives of Lebanese-based players worldwide, in addition to enabling international development and representation of Lebanon in the sport of hockey.
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We strongly believe in promoting positive change within the Lebanese communities as well as improving the world's impression of Lebanon. Working together as one Lebanese family regardless of political and religious affiliation is a core value of the LIHF and we strive to shed a positive light for Lebanon on the international stage through ice hockey.
We also take pride in making sure that those same values are instilled in every player, staff member as well as embodied by all our members whether it's in the arena or out in the everyday world. ​
OBJECTIVES
Short-Term:
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Continuously train and develop current players in Lebanon and abroad
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Recruit and professionally train coaches, referees, volunteers, to support the operation of a high-level hockey program.
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Natural Ice Rinks in the Mountains, 2 to 3 months of Hockey. Targeting Winter 2025
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Participate as much possible to many international tourneys, getting exposure.
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MOU signed, September 2023, prime location, Municipality of Jounieh.
Mid-Term:
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Finalize the Business plan ( Feasabiltiy study) of building the first multidisciplinary complex in Lebanon.
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Increase exposure of the sport within the Lebanese community and across the world in order to increase awareness and corporate supports.
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Organize summer training camps & exhibitions games, either in Canada or France, inviting current and potential Lebanese youth players to join the Federation, hence increasing the talent pool for the future
Long-Term:
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With funding through private investors, the LIHF plans to build a multi -sports complex, containing at least one NHL’s size ice hockey rink, a gym, pro-shop, and restaurants, designed to train and develop the players as well as hold to accommodate, figure skating, Basketball & Volleyball games, Ball Hockey, Inline hockey, events & shows, etc.
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Bring the sport of hockey to Lebanon and start developing players and staff directly from our country of origin.
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Create the Lebanese Hockey League (LHL) in Lebanon. (Minimum four teams). Participate in IIHF-sanctioned tournaments and World Championships.
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Represent Lebanon in IIHF World Champioship & World Olympic Winter games
BOARD MEMBERS
BOARD MEMBERS & MANAGER’s:
The Lebanese Ice Hockey Federation board is made up of nine voting members and seven managers. These members are professionals, leaders, university graduates and entrepreneurs who graciously devote their time and effort to promote the game and have one thing in common: they are strong believers in the promotion of the sport within Lebanon and want nothing more than to make Lebanon a hockey nation.
Charles El-Mir: President – (Canada/Lebanon)
Nabil Kamleh: General Secretary – (Dubai/Lebanon)
Joanne Diwan: Director, Women’s Development – (Canada)
Nancy Constantin: Director, Accounting – (Canada)
Mo Sottile: Director, Technical & Ice Rink Project (Canada)
Lara Karam: Director, Public Relation – (Lebanon)
Mohamad Teliani: Vice President, Hockey Operation (Canada-Lebanon)
Wissam Salaman: Director, Digital Marketing – (Canada-Lebanon)
Mtre. Bachir Kazan: Attorney – (Lebanon)
Inam Darwiche: Events planning & Women’s Team support.
June Baraket-Redsell: Events planning & Women’s Team support.
Nada Hatem: Manager, Panthers Lebanon Team – (Lebanon)
Ghina Chehwan: Attaché de Presse – (Lebanon)
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Francois Borduas: Skills & Skating Trainer
Bob (Ibrahim) Bornibyouk: Referee in Chief – Accredited by IIHF
Coaching Members & Managers
Men's Team:
Head Coach: Gregg Kennedy
Assistant Coach: Nabil Kamleh
Assistant Coach: Moe Sottile
Athletic Therapist: Alexis Boosamra
Trainer:
Equipment Manager:
General Manager: Ricardo Tabet
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Women's Team:
Head Coach: Éric Simard
Assistant Coach: Adrienne Saba
Assistant Coach: Mo Teliani
Athletic Therapist: Alexis Boosamra
Trainer: Nancy Constantin
Equipment Manager: Mo Sottile
General Manager: Erin Tabah
Disciplinary & Dispute Committee (DDC)
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1- Mr. Rick Daigle: Chairman
2- Mr. Wissam Salman: Member
3- Mr. Edouard Tabet: Member
4- Mtre. Bachir Kazan: Attorney
The DDC is the governing body within the LIHF delegated task to deal with Ice Hockey
related and general disciplinary & dispute matters.
It shall have jurisdiction to impose any sanctions.
The main aim of the DDC is to look after the Players’ safety Rules, Regulations and
Disputes
TALK TO US
1418, Victoria Avenue, Suite 110
Greenfield Park, Québec, Canada,
J4V 1M1
info@lebanonhockeycom