-December 3rd, 2004 - 11am, Beirut Archbishopry:

His excellency Beirut Archbishop Mgr. Paul Matar received in his official premises Mr. Henri Chalhoub, president of Club Sagesse Board of Trustees, in the presence of : The Club's honorary president and superior of the College father Boulos Abdelssater, the General Director of the Archbishopry father Issam Abi-Khalil, the Club's president judge Joseph Freiha, the Archbishop communication advisor Mr. Georges Saad, and the members of the Board of Trustees sirs Joseph Abdel-Massih, Massoud Achkar and Antoine Freiha .

Mgr Matar wished success for the Board of Trustees and the Club's management, certifying that Sagesse Club is rooted and grows from the College and the Alumni, relying on the former's base and support under the guidance of the College Superior. 

He also asked everyone to assume their full responsibilities and always work under the umbrella of fair play and good spirits, carrying a plain message of civic ethics and high values for the nation from both players and supporters.

In the end, his Excellency expressed his gratitude for all the efforts deployed by former president Mr. Antoine Choueiry, stating that if he decided to leave the Club's presidency for personal reasons, he will remain -like all the Club's presidents before him- one of the Club's sons who didn't spare efforts and hard work to raise the Sports in Sagesse to its highest level.


Mr Henri Chalhoub's speech:
Mr. Chalhoub stated that this gathering is happening within the Archbishop's premises and in his Excellency's presence to get his blessing and wishes at the dawn of the new season.

"We shall start hand in hand, managers, administrative and technical staff, players and supporters, to continue the journey that goes back to Sagesse birth 130 years ago" said Chalhoub, adding: "We are here to resume not to deny, for Sagesse is continuity, past present and future".

"Sagesse is not and never was anybody's own property. It is a national state, a symbol for the nation and its sons. I cannot in this family gathering but give credit to our friend Mr. Antoine Choueiry for all what he did to the Club and to the Lebanese sports scene. We are very sorry for his decision to leave the Club and the Sports in general."

"It is true that I never was a student in neither the College nor the University of Sagesse, but I carry a high esteem for this great cultural institution that offered Lebanon so much in many fields -culture, literature, sports, etc- and still is for Lebanon's generations from all regions and confessions, under the guidance of his Excellency Mgr Matar and the College superior father Abdelssater.
Nevertheless, I consider myself -with pride- the son of this school because I am the son of our mother the Beirut Maronite Archbishopbry. Some were surprised by my move to Sagesse Club while I previously headed Champville's. What wrong is there in such a decision? For the 2 schools are peers and refer to the same pole, the general assembly of the Catholic schools. I am convinced that Club Sagesse would never be an orphan if left without a president because it is one limb out of the deeply rooted tree of the Beirut Archbishopry and the School."

He added: "Working within Sagesse Club with all the history, patrimony and values is a dream for anybody involved in sports activity. Foreseeing the new season starting with Sagesse Club entangled in the web of its crisis did really upset me. I was convinced that matters will be solved and fast, for the Club is the son of a prestigious institution, thus I wanted to work hand in hand with the Club's officials to keep its flag and name high on both football and basketball courts. I am not here seeking glory and chairs, because Sagesse is the glory of all, and only our president and Sagesse mentor Mgr Matar is worth of the highest position."

Mr. Chalhoub concluded: "So we visit you today your Excellency to ask for your blessing and request your guidance before the launch of the new season. Our goal is to be up to your expectations and those of Sagesse base of supporters and fans in Lebanon and the whole world".


Mr. Joseph Freiha's speech:
It was judge Freiha who ended the meeting by saying: "Club Sagesse will linger on as long as the school that he belongs to and carries the name of exists. This Club was founded by the school in 1943 to gather the Lebanese youth. Just like the school, the Club adopts an open approach towards Lebanon's different regions and confessions, and such a policy will remain for the time to come"