This Saturday, 1st March 2008, may see the fate of Salam Zgharta's promotion prospects decided.

The top four teams of the 2nd Division of the Lebanese Football League play each other today in the second round of the elimination stage. The 2nd Division was divided into North and South Lebanon sections with the two top teams of each section going into a three game elimination stage.

The games today are: Salam Zgharta vs.Nahda Barr Elias and Chabab Al Ghazieh vs. Homenmen. When Salam Zgharta and Nahda Barr Elias, played each other leading up to this stage, Salam won 2-0 and lost 0-1.

Last Saturday's elimination results were: Salam Zgharta vs.Sahbab Ghazieh: 1-1 and Nahda Barr Elias vs.Homenmen: 1-0

The current standings are:

1. Nahda Barr Elias 3 points
2. Shabab Ghazieh 1 point
2. Salam Zgharta 1 point
4. Homenmen 0 point

Salam Zgharta Appeal: 21

The Club has announced further names from Australia who have purchased one or more square metre of turf as part of the Club's Stadium Appeal. They are:

Sarkis Jalalaty (Australia): 10 meters
Budwe Al-Chalouhi (Australia): 1 meter
Richard Al-Chalouhi (Australia): 1 meter
Antonio Al-Chalouhi (Australia): 1 meter
George Doueihi (Australia): 1 meter
Mona Jalalaty Hilal (Australia): 1 meter
Raymond Chahine Karam (Australia): 1 meter
Tony Raymond Chahine Karam (Australia): 1 meter
Hamid Raymond Chahine Karam (Australia): 1 meter
Ronald Raymond Chahine Karam (Australia): 1 meter
Sahar Chahine Karam (Australia): 1 meter
Youssef Tannous Azize (Australia): 1 meter
Hamid Massri (Australia): 5 meters
Youssef Elachi (Australia): 1 meter
Fawzi Moujalli (Australia): 3 meters

It seems that the Club should have its President, Fr.Estephan Frangieh, visit other parts of the world to galvanize the Zghartawien worldwide community!

The Club has also announced more names from Australia who have purchased one or more square metre of turf as part of the Club's Stadium Appeal. They are:

Boutros Akle ( Australia): 2 meters
Sleiman Saade ( Australia): 2 meters
Peter Bacha ( Australia): 2 meters
Sayed Yammine ( Australia): 4 meters
Anwar Harb ( Australia): 5 meters
Peter Naoum ( Australia): 2 meters
Joseph Toufic Gittany ( Australia): 2 meters
Eva Akle Wakim ( Australia): 1 meter
Raymond Azizi ( Australia): 5 meters
Lamia Salem Frangieh ( Australia):
4 meters Amira Antar ( Australia): 1 meter
Mehrez Antar ( Australia): 1 meter
Zgharta House ( Australia): 5 meters
Abraham Doueihi ( Australia): 6 meters
Mariette Doueihi ( Australia): 2 meters
Rebecca Doueihi ( Australia): 4 meters
Albert Kaado ( Australia): 2 meters
Salma Kaado ( Australia): 2 meters
Juliette Kaado ( Australia): 1 meter
Mariette Kaado ( Australia): 1 meter
Emamoke Obiebi ( Australia): 1 meter
Angelique Obiebi ( Australia): 1 meter
Andrew Youssef ( Australia): 1 meter
Melissa Youssef ( Australia): 1 meter
Oliva Youssef ( Australia): 1 meter
Alannah Youssef ( Australia): 1 meter
Georges Antoine Yammine ( Australia): 5 meters

The price of one square meter is LL100,000 (US$ 67:Euro 48)

To donate please call:
00 961 6 66 02 30 or 00 961 70 15 92 30
Account number at Credit Libanais:
USD 045.001.190.0001138.013
LL 045.100.190.0001138.015

Those nearer to home can visit the Club's office at the St. John's Hall.

The names will also appear on a board in the staduim as well as on the Club's website www.salamzgharta.com, as a Friend of Salam Zgharta.
 

We learn that the Salam Zgharta's Stadium Appeal has had a substantial boost in recent weeks due to the generosity of the Zgharta community in Australia, to the extent of AU $ 26,000.00. (24,042 $US; 16,234 EURO)

During the Club's President, Fr. Estephan Frangieh, recent visit to Australia, the community formed an Appeal Committee, who has opened a bank account to receive donations and money raised at fund raising events. Such events have included a barbeque and a auction of sport's memorabilia. More fund raising events will be held in the near future, which will increase the already raised money.

The members of the Appeal Committee are:

Sarkis Maksisi, President of the Association of Zgharta - Australia
Alia Halabi, President of the Ladies Committee - Sydney
Peter Bacha, President of the St Joseph Zgharta Soccer Club - Sydney
Sayed Halabi, Treasurer of the Association of Zgharta - Australia

The bank account, called , "The Association of Zgharta Australia " Zgharta Sport Stadium," is with the Arab Bank Australia.

To make an donation towards the Appeal contact the organizations - The Association Of Zgharta Australia;The Ladies Committee Sydney; The St Joseph Zgharta Soccer Club Sydney or call 1300 13 88 47.

In addition many individuals from the community are purchasing square metres of turf as part of the Club's Appeal, which we report on our Appeal updates.

We applaud our Australian cousins and for their much needed help.

This Friday sees the first of three vital matches which will decide Salam Zgharta's fate for next season.

They will be playing, Chabab Al Ghazieh, at the Burj Hammoud Municipal Stadium, 2.15 p.m. on Friday, followed by two matches to be played on consquentive Saturday's against Nahda Birr Elias and Homenmen. The top two teams will be promoted to the First Division of the Lebanese Football League for the 2008/2009 season.

The Club has also announced more names of those who have purchased one or more square metre of turf as part of the Club's Stadium Appeal. As will be seen, they all come from Australia, no doubt as a result of Father Estephan Frangieh's recent trip to Sydney. What is unclear however, although we have asked the question, is what, if anything, was raised, as oppose to these individual donations, at the fundraising event on Sunday, 20th January at the Rydalmere Bowling Club, Sydney, organised by the Club, the Association of Zgharta, St. Joseph Zgharta Soccer Club and the Committee of Zgharta Ladies.

Those making individual donations are:

Edward Nader (Australia): 1 meter
David Nader (Australia): 1 meter
Patrick Nader (Australia): 1 meter
Nawal Nader (Australia): 1 meter
Tadros (Jnr) Nader (Australia): 1 meter
Estal Nader (Australia): 1 meter
Tadros Nader (Australia): 2 meters
Marrel Nader (Australia): 1 meter
Chantal Chamoun (Australia): 1 meter
Boutros Wakim (Australia): 1 meter
Fahd Gittany (Australia): 2 meters
Tony Boumelhem (Australia): 7 meters
Michel Doueihi (Australia): 2 meters
Youssef Boudrah (Australia): 2 meters
Simon Boudrah (Australia): 2 meters
Anthony Boudrah (Australia): 2 meters
Arthur Boudrah (Australia): 1 meter
David Paul Azize (Australia): 1 meter
Shaikh Said Karam (Australia): 5 meters
Maroun Akle (Australia): 2 meters
Ramzi Frangieh (Australia): 3 meters

The price of one square meter is LL100,000 (US$ 67:Euro 48)

To donate please call:
00 961 6 66 02 30 or 00 961 70 15 92 30
Account number at Credit Libanais:
USD 045.001.190.0001138.013
LL 045.100.190.0001138.015

Those nearer to home can visit the Club's office at the St. John's Hall.

The names will also appear on a board in the staduim as well as on the Club's website www.salamzgharta.com, as a Friend of Salam Zgharta.

The Lebanese Football Association has announced the matches for the next stage to decide which two teams in the 2nd Division will be promoted next season.

As we reported earlier the four teams in contention are Salam Zgharta, Nahda Birr Elias, Chabab Al Ghazieh and Homenmen.

The dates announced for Salam are:

Friday, 22nd February 2008: Chabab Al Ghazieh v Salam Zgharta, at the Burj Hammoud Municipal Stadium, 2.15 p.m.
Saturday, 1st March 2008: Nahda Birr Elias v Salam Zgharta, at the Burj Hammoud Municipal Stadium, 2.15 p.m.
Saturday, 8th March 2008: Homenmen v Salam Zgharta, at the Jounieh Municipality Stadium, 2.15. p.m.

It appears that each team plays each other once.

In their two matches, Salam Zgharta and Nahda Birr Elias, leading up to this stage, Salam won 2-0 and lost 0-1.

On Sunday, 10th February 2008, Salam Zgharta played against Akhaa Ahli Aley, losing 2 - 3.

Notwithstanding, the Club remains in second place in the North Lebanon Section of the 2nd Division of the Lebanese Football League, with 21 points, with Nahda Birr Elias in first place with 27 points. In the South Lebanon Section, in 1st place is Chabab Al Ghazieh with 29 points, with Homenmen in 2nd place with 22 points.

The Club now goes into the next stage where the top two teams of each section play each. The two top teams of this stage are promoted to the First Division. We understand that the next stage begins on 22nd February.

Lebanese newspapers are suggesting that Salam Zgharta are likely to be promoted back to the First Division next season, if they win their next games. Therefore unless the community supports the Club's Staduim Appeal it will mean, home games, will not be at home but "away" in Tripoli, which would be a shame. If, as it is hoped, specators will be allowed back to watch games soon, this means that the local business community will miss out when there are home games. So its a matter of self interest for there to be a stadium which does credit for a First Division team.

The Club has also anounced that the following persons have purchased one square meter or more turf, as part of the Club's Staduim Appeal, since early January.

The price of one square meter is LL100,000 (US$ 67:Euro 48)

To donate please call:
00 961 6 66 02 30 or 00 961 70 15 92 30
Account number at Credit Libanais:
USD 045.001.190.0001138.013
LL 045.100.190.0001138.015

Those nearer to home can visit the Club's office at the St. John's Hall.

The names will also appear on a board in the staduim as well as on the Club's website www.salamzgharta.com , as a Friend of Salam Zgharta.

St Charbel Monastery (Australia): meter numbers 1121- 1150
The Association of Youssef Bey Karam - Zgharta (Australia): meter numbers 1151 - 1170
St Joseph Soccer Club (Australia): meter numbers 1171- 1190
Zgharta Ladies Committee (Australia): meter numbers 1191 - 1210
George Mallat (Australia): meter numbers 1101- 1103
Peter Tannous Frangie (Australia): meter number 1104
Sarkis Chahine Karam (Australia): meter number 1105
Sabet Chahine Karam (Australia): meter number 1106
John Sarkis Karam (Australia): meter number 1107
Zakia Sarkis Karam (Australia): meter number 1108
Marcus Sarkis Karam (Australia): meter number 1109
Mariah Sarkis Karam (Australia): meter number 1110

After a gap of some three weeks Salam Zgharta played this Saturday, 2nd February 2008, against Nahda Bar Elias in Tripoli. They won 2-0, goals scored by Wehbeh Doueihi and Francois Kharma.

Salam is in 2nd place with 21 points, with Nahda Birr Elias in 1st place with 27 points. Salam stands a good chance to be promoted next season if they are able to keep their form.

We are also please to report that the Salam Zgharta Youth Team won their two matches: 5-0 against Mahaba Youth and 3-1 against Marine Tripoli.

We not heard for sometime from the Club (Salam Zgharta Appeal: 17 - 1st January 2008) about the Staduim Appeal, so lets hope its not a case when the President away the "mice" do not donate a turf!

We hear however that while on route from Australia to Zgharta on his stop over in Dubai, Fr. Frangieh spoke of the Stadium Appeal at a dinner held in his honour by the Zghartawien community in Dubai. What a great President the Club has!

The price of one square meter is LL100,000 (US$ 67:Euro 48)

To donate please call:
00 961 6 66 02 30 or 00 961 70 15 92 30
Account number at Credit Libanais:
USD 045.001.190.0001138.013
LL 045.100.190.0001138.015

Those nearer to home can visit the Club's office at the St. John's Hall.

The names will also appear on a board in the staduim as well as on the Club's website www.salamzgharta.com , as a Friend of Salam Zgharta

The Australian website of, El Marada, features an interview with Fr. Estefan Frangieh, who is currently in Australia, conducted by its Editor, Sarkis Karam, which appears on the Full Story page. Their photograph is courtesy of El Marada


Full Story

Salam Zgharta in their match on Friday, 11th January 2008, lost 1-0 against Al Ijtima'ai Tripoli.

The President of Salam Zgharta, Fr. Estephan Frangieh, arrived on Thursday to Australia, on a two week trip ,where he will be promoting the Club and raising money for the refurbishment of the Club's stadium and facilities.

On Sunday, 20th January 2008 there will be fundraising event at the Rydalmere Bowling Club, Sydney, organised by the Club, the Association of Zgharta, St. Joseph Zgharta Soccer Club and the Committee of Zgharta Ladies.

The Club also has published the names of the latest people who have purchased one square meter or more of turf for the new Zgharta Stadium. They are :

- The Committee of Zgharta Ladies - Australia: meter numbers 3031 - 3045
- Youssef Naiim Yammine: meter number 2501
- Nabih Elie Makary: meter number 2502
- Mark Elie Makary: meter number 2503
- Georges Zablit: meter number 2504

The price of one square meter is LL100,000 (US$ 67:Euro 48)

To donate please call:
00 961 6 66 02 30 or 00 961 70 15 92 30
Account number at Credit Libanais:
USD 045.001.190.0001138.013
LL 045.100.190.0001138.015

Those nearer to home can visit the Club's office at the St. John's Hall.

The names will also appear on a board in the stadium as well as on the Club's website www.salamzgharta.com , as a Friend of Salam Zgharta.

They also have a FaceBook group.

Salam Zgharta play their 10th round game of the 2007/2008 season on Saturday, 5th January 2008 against Al Homentmen.

When they last played each other, Salam won 2-0. So lets hope history repeats itself on Saturday.

Salam's President, Fr. Estephan Frangieh, is travelling to Sydney, Australia on 12th January 2008 on a promotional trip to raise money for the refurbishment of the Club's stadium and facilities.

During his visit he will be meeting with the Diocese of Sydney, the Association of Zgharta, Zgharta Ladies Committee, St Joseph's Soccer Club and members of the Australian and Zgharta community.

It will be the Father's third visit to Australia and we wish him bon voyage and success in his mission. It seems that without overseas support the Club's plans will come to a halt due to lack of funds domestically.

RESULT: Salam won 2-0. Both goals were by Wehbe Douaihy