Rami Bitar: Safa Club is on a Mission to Transform Lebanese Football, One Goal at a Time
When you think of positive change in Lebanese football, Rami Bitar’s name often comes up. As the Vice President of Safa Club and Tawfeer Sports Club, he’s not just about managing teams; he’s dedicated to nurturing the love for sports in Lebanon. Even with a busy life as a businessman, he still finds the time to dedicate himself to Lebanese football, making a real difference along the way.
Taking on the Challenge at Safa Club
When Bitar stepped into the role of Vice President at Safa Club about two and a half years ago, the club was in a tough spot. There were no dedicated sports facilities, no budget, and no field to call home. Looking at the obstacles, many in his circle tried convincing him to invest in another club if he really wanted to make a difference in Lebanese football; however, his passion for overcoming challenges pushed him to create real change with a club he believed in. In addition to hiring Dutch coach Johnny Johnson, Rami Bitar Safa Club also brought in seasoned Dutch players to assist in implementing a new football philosophy. This would not only revive the community's enthusiasm for football by drawing on foreign knowledge, but also change the attitude and general climate around football in Lebanon!
Investing in Youth Development
A big part of what Bitar does is for the youth of Lebanon. He is committed to nurturing the next generation of football talent, starting with his initiatives at Safa Club and expanding to the Rami Bitar Tawfeer Sports Club. The latter supports players from 9 to 20 years old and is already seeing promising results, with many young athletes emerging on the scene.
How do Tawfeer and Safa Club work together? The Rami Bitar Tawfeer Club was created to give young players a chance to play all year round. With not enough fields available, many age groups would be without playing opportunities for up to eight months. However, with Tawfeer Club sharing the load with Safa Club, young players can keep developing their skills throughout the year. Bitar believes that the future of Lebanese football depends on investing in these age groups, as there is currently no Lebanese law that encourages youth development in sports.
To address this gap, he proposed a project to the Lebanese Football Association called “Solidarity Contribution and Training Compensation,” which he developed with a team of experts. This project aims to support clubs that invest in youth development, creating a system that benefits both players and clubs. This system would also put an end to life-long contracts, which currently restrict players. Instead, he calls for reforming the Lebanese football contract system to make it fairer and more encouraging for young talents.
Rami Bitar Football Mission: Building a Stronger Lebanese League
Rami Bitar knows that for the sport to succeed, it needs to be marketed properly. He believes that football is a product, and like any product, it needs the right promotion to attract sponsors and investment. This is exactly why Bitar has pushed for games to be held during prime time to draw more advertisers and generate income. He’s also suggested new field locations to the Lebanese Football Association to improve infrastructure.
For Rami Bitar, football needs a strong foundation in Lebanon to secure a brighter future for the sport.
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