AMMAN — Lebanon’s ongoing economic and political crisis has
driven several of the country’s athletes to head to the Kingdom’s football
clubs; fleeing deteriorating living conditions.
اضافة اعلان
For the first time in Jordan’s history, five Lebanese
professional athletes will come on board various local clubs.
According to their official websites and social media
accounts, the following clubs will be taking in Lebanese players: Al-Wehdat has
signed Soony Saad and Ahmad Zreiq. Majed Othman has signed on with Al-Ramtha;
and Al-Faisaly with Hilal Al-Hilweh. Sahab FC has signed with a Lebanese player
whose name has yet to be officially announced.
Speaking on the phenomenon, Jordanian national team coach
and former player, Jamal Abu Abed, told Jordan News: “I think the main reason
Lebanese players have taken precedence this season is personal relations
between the agents of Jordanian players and the Lebanese players themselves.
The financial crisis has also driven them out of the Lebanese league in search
of better alternatives.”
National coach and analyst, Othman Al-Hasanat, said this
“experience” has shifted the aim of Jordanian clubs towards Lebanese
footballers. Al-Hasanat explained to Jordan News: “I think the (positive)
experience of national coach, Abdullah Abu Zema, with Lebanon’s Al-Ansar Club
has (encouraged) him to promote Lebanese players in the Kingdom,” pointing out
that Jordanian and Lebanese players share similar performance levels.
He explained that the direct impact of Lebanon’s financial
woes on the migration of Lebanese players to Jordan cannot be ignored and
recalled receiving several calls from agents asking him to take his pick of
players from the Lebanese pro league, citing the instability that they continue
to suffer through, their deferred financial dues and rising costs of living.
Lebanese player, Soony Saad, said the Jordanian league’s
reputation and strength was the main attraction for him and many of his
counterparts.
“I think the Jordanian league is strong, competitive and
reputable. The crisis in Lebanon may have had a hand in bringing in more
(Lebanese) players this year, but I believe that even in the absence of the
crisis; Lebanese players would still find value in competing in Jordan,” Saad
said.
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