The Minister of Culture in the caretaker government, Mohammad Wissam Al-Mortada, congratulated the Lebanese national basketball team “for its great achievement by defeating China.”
This win comes as the first-ever Asia Cup win for Lebanon over China, it is also Lebanon’s first time to qualify for the Semi-Finals since 2009.
Al-Mortada went on to compare the Lebanese National Basketball team to the Phoenix and its superiority over the Chinese dragon:
“The phoenix is superior to the Chinese dragon… Congratulations to all the players of our national basketball team, the technical staff, and the Lebanese people.”
The Legendary Phoenix in Greek mythology represents immortality, resurrection, and life after death, which is not far from concurring with the Lebanese nation attempting to defeat the odds and rise from its current crises.
The Phoenix became also a symbol of the Lebanese people’s resilience during the Lebanese Revolution (Thawra).
It was also brought to the spotlight by many Lebanese artists in the aftermath of the Beirut Blast as a symbol of hope that Beirut will rise again.
“God willing, from victory to victory,” Al-Mortada said to the Lebanese National Basketball team with an enthusiasm matching that of the Lebanese people these days as they eagerly follow the remarkable victories of their national team.
Related: Lebanon National Basketball Team Just Ranked 1st In Asia According To FIBA
