The team of La Regie Libanaise Des Tabacs Et Tombacs (Regie) claimed its sixth Lebanese National Beach Soccer League victory after winning over El-Horiyye Saida (4-2) at the Ramle Al Bayda.
The game was attended by the Governor of Beirut Ziad Chebib, the president of Lebanon's Football Association Hashem Haidar, Dr. Mazen Qubaisi, the representative of Regie, President of the Sports Association Rafik Sbaity, the President of the Lebanese Sports Journalists Association Youssef Berjawi and a number of beach soccer fans.
During the game, the captain of Regie Mohammd Merhi was able to show his amazing beach soccer skills and the strength of his right foot by scoring in the first half and amazing the entire audience even though El-Horiyye Saida tied the score during that half.
In the second half, the captain of Regie scored another time while El-Horiyye Saida lost numerous chances. During that half, Captain Merhi injured his knee while playing.
As for the third half, it witnessed great enthusiasm as Regie player Ali Nasereddine scored the third goal for his team. To add to the enthusiasm, Hussein Zeinoun of El-Horiyye Saida scored the second goal for his team.
And right before the end of the game both teams radiated in an amazing performance.
By the end of the game, Regie Captain Mohammad Merhy and Coach Khaled Berjawi received the trophy amidst joy of team members and f="RTL">
Seklaoui outlined that the Regie’s management committee, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Purchasing, and the Leaf Tobacco Department, has made a decision to partner with select farmers. This collaboration aims to plant seedlings in Saadiyat and secure areas. The intention is to offer these seedlings to farmers in border regions who are currently unable to engage in planting due to prevailing security concerns.
The Head of Agriculture and Purchasing Department, Engineer Jaafar Al-Husseini further explained the typical planting process. “Farmers traditionally initiate the planting of seeds in protected nurseries in plastic tents from December to February each year. The growth period spans between 45 days and two month, after which the seedlings are transported to the soil for planting.
He expressed regret over the situation in the border region, highlighting that it has resulted in the displacement of residents from villages where tobacco fields make up a substantial portion, ranging from 45 to 50 percent, of the land designated for tobacco cultivation in the South. The current circumstances have rendered it impossible for farmers in this region to proceed with their customary seed planting. Moreover, there is uncertainty about when the situation will stabilize and allow them to resume their agricultural activities.
In consideration of these circumstances and recognizing its responsibility to support farmers during these challenging times, the Regie has taken the decision to personally oversee the transplantation process. This initiative involves utilizing the land at its research center in Saadiyat, and on another rented land in Maaroub. The aim is to wait for approximately two months, allowing the seedlings to reach full maturity, with the anticipation that the security situation will have stabilized by then. Subsequently, the fully-grown seedlings will be distributed to farmers for planting in their respective fields and villages.
Pointing out that 5,362 farmers are reaping the benefits of this proactive initiative, he emphasized, “If, regrettably, the farmers in the border region are unable to return to their villages and plant seedlings on their lands even after two months – a scenario we hope to avoid – then the seedlings can be distributed to farmers in other regions.”.
Al-Husseini commended additional initiatives, including the announcement by the mayor of Rmeish. In a town still maintaining around 40 percent of its population and situated at a relatively considerable distance from the border, the mayor revealed that local farmers possess a substantial quantity of seedlings. Furthermore, they stand prepared to share their surplus with neighboring towns in need.