Leaving Lebanon Behind: Jad El Hajj’s Brave Leap to Bahrain

TDT | Manama

Email: hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

For Jad El Hajj, leaving Lebanon wasn’t just a career move; it was a leap toward growth and new possibilities. The 35-year-old coach, who has made a name for himself in international basketball, made headlines earlier this year with his decision to take on dual roles in Bahrain: head coach of the men’s national basketball team and technical director for the national program.

El Hajj’s departure from Lebanon—a country with a rich basketball heritage—came as a shock to fans and pundits alike, especially given his recent successes with the Cedars. But for El Hajj, the decision was rooted in a desire to embrace fresh challenges.

“I felt that I needed a new challenge outside,” said El Hajj, who hails from Beirut. “Bahrain contacted me, and it was a big challenge for me, to get more experience outside of Lebanon and to have a new opportunity.”

A Legacy in Lebanon

El Hajj’s time with Lebanon was marked by big achievements. Appointed head coach of the Cedars in 2022, he led the team to a silver medal in the FIBA Asia Cup that same year—their first runner-up finish in the tournament in 15 years. Under his guidance, Lebanon qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time since 2010 and secured two wins in Jakarta during the 2023 edition.

At the club level, El Hajj enjoyed success with Sagesse SC, guiding the storied team to the finals of both the Lebanese Basketball Championship and the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Final 8 in Doha. Despite these accomplishments, El Hajj felt it was time to move on.

“I felt like I gave everything for the national team,” he said. “It was a tough decision, but I felt it was time for new blood in Lebanon and a different challenge for me.”

Building a New Chapter in Bahrain

Since joining Bahrain in June, El Hajj has already left his mark. In September, he led the national team to their first-ever Gulf Basketball Association (GBA) Championship title, defeating Qatar 73-68 in the final. The win was a landmark moment for Bahrain, ending decades of frustration and signaling a new era for the program.

“I came here with two goals: winning the GBA Championship, which we achieved, and qualifying for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025,” said El Hajj.

As Bahrain prepares for the next window of Asia Cup qualifiers, El Hajj is focused on maintaining momentum. The team sits at 1-1 and faces important games against Syria and the UAE.

“We need a couple more wins to qualify,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll have a good camp and friendly games to build chemistry fast.”

A Vision for Bahrain Basketball

Beyond results, El Hajj is committed to understanding the players’ mentality and the country’s basketball culture. His involvement extends to the domestic league, where he’s leading Al Ahli Club in the WASL-Gulf League. For him, the journey is as much about building a foundation as it is about achieving immediate success.

“My personal goal is to achieve great things for Bahrain, like I did with Lebanon,” he said. “Bahrain suffered a lot in the last 30, 40 years without winning any championship. Now, the guys believe we can achieve good results. Hopefully, we can build on this.”

El Hajj’s impact is already being felt, and his arrival has reinvigorated Bahraini basketball. With a winning mindset and a track record of success, he is poised to usher in a new chapter for the sport in the Gulf nation.