- December 17th, 2004:

In the event of meeting the president of the board of trustees, one would expect facing a sort of snobbish somehow distant character who would coldly talk his way through words without emotion and with little passion, almost oblivious to the presence of the interviewer.
Our expectations weren't fortunately met: we find Mr Henri Chalhoub at the peak of his activity in the office reserved to Sagesse Club on their home court, Michel Murr stadium. He is active, dynamic and passionate while speaking about his ambitions and plans, his teams and players, and his problems, with a smile that very rarely leaves his face and an unbuttoned collar and tie: the man is here to work, work and only work!
And work there is : rebuilding a team in such a small period of time, up to his expectations and those of millions who cheered for their dream team Sagesse.
And as he told us himself in the following interview dedicated to Sagesse fans through the Club's website: since there is no magic wand, it leaves him and his managing team with nothing but hard work to meet their deadlines!



Q: First we would like to thank you for the time you dedicate to this interview particularly addressed to Sagesse fans through the website.

A: (interrupting) Welcome and I am very happy to have the opportunity of directly addressing the fans and thanking them for their support. But on the other hand, I hold a kind of resentment to some of the fans on the site who aren't giving us the chance and providing the needed patience in the current circumstances! We cannot in a couple of weeks recreate a club that achieved all the previous "miracles" and prowess. We are being criticized as if we had a magic wand and aren't using it.
The message I want to spread is patience. We want to make a very big club, and we are making all that is possible to the utmost extent. Sometimes it is no more a question of money but of people and resources, like in football when it was too late to do anything this season. So what we are doing is never stop motivating the existing resources, promising them better and better to come and giving them incentive, like a small gift, a gesture we did after their victory in the last game.

Q: That brings a question raised by many about the women basketball team.

A: Yes that is another late issue we couldn't deal with this season. We cannot deal with anything more, we have too many matters at hand. Look at me here, where I am right now, and it is like this everyday! Again please be patient, give us a chance and it is a pledge to have a basketball women team next year. I personally promise you this.

Q: Would you elaborate and put an end to all the polemic raised by the issue of the 3 players that left the basketball team, namely Roy, Brian and Fady?

Let me start with Fady who contacted me last October while I was abroad. I talked to him on the phone and asked him to wait for me so we would sit and talk as soon as I get back to Lebanon. When I came back, I asked about Fady and to my surprise I was told that he already signed with Al Ittihad. So the case was closed !

Roy ? Well I didn't see Roy! Can anybody imagine that the president of the board of trustees didn't meet a player? Can anyone conceive that I didn't meet him? He didn't show up at the football and basketball players meeting that took place about a month ago in the Club's headquarters, then I heard about the arrogance and hard headed attitude he showed in the medias. Let me make it clear that we do not force anyone to stay, but of course we want and love to keep the team spirit as a whole!
So on the basis of such behavior, it is nonsense to talk about faithfulness and belonging, because if it can be bought by a few extra dollars, then we'd rather without! This is not what we wish to our Club, not the kind of fidelity we seek.

Last but not least, Brian. As I speak to you, Brian has received a new offer that would cost us at least $30.000 per month! Is it conceivable? With such an amount of monthly wages, I could bring an NBA player. But I am forced to deal with Brian because he is Lebanese and the team lacks a player in his position. To me this is nothing but blackmail, and I accept it halfheartedly. It is imposed unto me, but if I had my way, I would have refused it all! 
Now I accepted, but go figure if he would! I mean fame went to those players' heads: Can you imagine that he even put a condition that he should be fully paid before the 1st of next May while the season is still ongoing? What if he decides to leave then? If he mistrusts us that much, how could we trust him back?
Those players' commercial approach is remarkable, the back and forth offers and counteroffers with different clubs at the same time, taking our offer and renegotiating on its basis with another club, then doing the same again with us, etc. 
Anyway, I gave him a deadline as of tonight. If he doesn't sign, then the offer is cancelled. It is crazy, we've been playing this game for 3 weeks without a break, and the tension is becoming unbearable. We offered Fady a very VERY big amount of money to break his contract but he asked for more. This is no longer sports and decent negotiation, it is a shame and a pity.

That is the story of Roy, Fady and Brian. These players have become super dealers and they sell to the highest bidder. Our fans and supporters must understand that we need players that possess a minimum of faithfulness and true belonging to the club, something that even the professional imports succeed in providing. It is not healthy to have Lebanese players playing only for the money!
I wonder where has the "green blood" gone? Or is it rather another kind of green that prevails now!



Q: Pretty clear and more than enough! Let us shift to the other wing of the Club, the football section where unfortunately nothing could be done this season. What about your strategy and vision for the coming one?

A: Like I previously said, now we have to fully support our actual players in every possible way, and that is all that we can do now. But on the other hand, we are building the future. The president of the Lebanese Federation of Football Mr Hashem Haidar honoured me with a visit a couple of days ago, wishing me success and congratulating me for the presidency of the board of trustees. I thanked him and I told him that we will fight till the last day of the season and we won't surrender to our season start misfortune, and that next season all teams better watch their backs because we're coming on strong.

Q: Then we can definitely reassure the fans that from now on, football and basketball will get similar priorities and attention from the management?

A: Absolutely correct. Look at me now attending all football games with the management more than basketball (laughing).

Q: There is little time left till the end of the month, that is the deadline to officially present the team with the foreign players, the Lebanese foreign-based ones and the local rosters. How are you foreseeing this period?

A: Our coach Robert Taylor is doing a tremendous job, a very difficult one and he is also suffering from the lack of time. The coming 2 weeks are critical training wise, we have to do with the time left to us!
There is Dubai tournament to prepare, and let me tell you that I watched Sporting play against the Emiratis and I can assure you that they are ready! Fit ready, and we aren't yet.

Q: Then what are you realistic expectations for the coming season in football and basketball?

A: In basketball, I know only one spot : the number 1. I know no other! In football, I would be content with the 3rd position.

Q: One last word to the fans ?

A: Patience. Everything will be achieved according to the plans and the goals defined. We are a big institution, we are working for it, and Sagesse remains Sagesse. We will do everything possible to keep Sagesse above all and everyone, and that is my objective, my goal, just give me the time needed to achieve it.