In a press release by the American University of Beirut (AUB), it said: "Marking its 150th anniversary, the American University of Beirut (AUB) has opened its Third Annual University Sports Tournament. It is organized by the university's Athletics Department with the support of AUB President's Club. 
The tournament's opening ceremony was held on the Green Field. It began with the Lebanese National Anthem and was attended by Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Muttalib Hinnawi, the Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Nazih Al-Naggary, Greek Ambassador Theodore Basas, and the President of the Lebanese Federation of University Sport (FSUL) attorney Nasri Nasri Lahoud. Other attending dignitaries included heads and representatives of the participating universities. AUB President Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri, Vice President for Advancement Dr. Imad Baalbaki, Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Talal Nizameddin, Director of AUB Sports Ghaleb Halimi as well as the President and members of the President's Club attended, along with university professors, staff, and a large crowd of students and stakeholders. 
The ceremony began with a procession of participating universities with the flags of their countries and institutions. Ghaleb Halimi spoke next, welcoming everyone in the audience and thanking AUB President Khuri for his presence and permanent support for sports. He greeted all participants and thanked the President's Club for its great support for the tournament. 
After that, President Khuri with Ambassadors Al-Nagari and Basas moved to raise the flags of the participating countries. Then Dean Nizameddin spoke, greeting everyone and thanking all those who participated and worked for the success of the tournament. 
President Khuri then saluted all the students and thanked the officials for their attendance and encouragement. He talked about the importance of sports in the life of the individual, especially university students, wishing good luck to the participants, and giving students and AUB teams a special salute. 
This was followed by lighting of the flame and fireworks announcing the official opening of the tournament. 
President Khuri with Minister Hinnawi, Ambassadors Al-Nagari and Basas and attorney Lahoud then toured AUB's sports facilities. All praised the high athletic standards provided by AUB to its students. 
The tournament's opening game was a football match between AUB and the American University in Cairo (AUC). It ended in a goalless draw. 
The tournament continues until tomorrow with the distribution of prizes taking place at 5:00 on the afternoon of Saturday October 22 in the indoor sports court. 
It is recalled that Lebanon is participating in this tournament with teams from AUB, the Lebanese American University (LAU) in Beirut and Byblos, USJ, NDU, USEK as well as Balamand University, Beirut Arab University, Haigazian and the Antonine universities. The UAE is participating with the American University in Dubai (AUD), and Egypt is participating with the American University in Cairo (AUC). Greece is taking part in the tournament with the American College of Greece (ACG)."

Source: NNA