Edward Iskandarian | Staff Writer
Sports have always been a universal language. For many, they offer a sense of purpose and discipline, shaping character and developing grit. For others, sports provide a means of solace through self-expression, presenting a way to channel emotions when words fall short. However, in the wake of the recent war, many individuals turned away from their athletic pursuits—their enthusiasm stultified by the inhumane and grim realities of survival. Schools and universities closed, and stadiums and courts became shelters. When the struggle for basic needs takes precedence, self-expression often becomes a luxury only a few can afford.
To dive deeper and discover how the war affected the varsity teams at AUB, I decided to interview my good friend Hamza Al Yaman.
Since childhood, Hamza has always taken part in a plethora of sports. He is most known for his horse-back riding but has also spent several years playing on his high school’s football, track, and field varsity teams. His involvement in middle school rugby set the stage for what would now become his main sport. In sync with the pandemic, his high school shut down the rugby team, leaving Hamza distanced from the world of rugby.
At the start of his first semester at university, Hamza tried out for rugby, track, and field. Having shone in the rugby try-outs, he was accepted to the team as a winger, marking a new chapter in his athletic career. However, just one month into the semester, the outbreak of war brought everything to a grinding halt. For two months, uncertainty led to many students and athletes temporarily moving abroad or seeking refuge in safer regions of Lebanon. This left the team with a limited number of players, causing trainings to continue at a lower level than what was supposed to be. These two months delayed the team’s progress significantly.
As for Hamza, his successful rugby try-outs would represent a moment of pride, showcasing his potential in a new chapter of his athletic pursuit. As a sophomore at university, Hamza was still trying to establish himself as a key player. However, the abrupt disruption caused by the war evoked feelings of frustration and disappointment. Having only found his rhythm a month into the semester, the war derailed his progress. In our interview, he mentioned that the two months of uncertainty resulted in weight gain. He added that these two months not only marked lost training time, but it symbolized the loss of camaraderie and the sense of security that comes with being part of a team.
Ultimately the war hindered the performance of most athletes on the rugby team. The resumption of practice wasn’t particularly easy by any means. Hamza mentioned how they restarted at a level further back than when they had left—the two months missed meant another few weeks of catching up. The first practice after was a humbling experience; the players, once sharp and agile now struggled. However, all athletes were ready to fight for a spot on the team, as everyone was in the right state of mind to achieve greatness.
Hamza was initially accepted into the team as a winger—a position located on either the far left or right of the field—thanks to his speed, as he was one of the fastest players on the team. Typically, rugby teams have two wingers, wearing jerseys numbered 2 and 5. However, after putting on a few extra kilos during the downtime, Hamza began pushing for the center position, which is placed just inside the winger and often finds itself at the heart of the action. There are also two centers on a rugby team, usually wearing numbers 3 and 4. Interestingly, Hamza’s added weight became an advantage in this new role, giving him the strength and physicality to break through defensive lines and stand his ground in tackles.
After catching up to their missed trainings, the team were all comfortable with the basics in terms of passes and tackles. The team also begun re-establishing its chemistry and finding its stride. After a few tough months at the beginning, the team proved themselves by emerging victorious over BAU and UOB, with scores of 46-0 and 44-0, respectively. However, Hamza missed both games due to sustained injuries. Ultimately, he proved himself in many consecutive trainings and was finally chosen to start the game against the team called “Immortals”—a powerhouse of a club in Lebanon and the team the AUB coach—funnily enough—represents. This meant that on Hamza’s debut, he was to be going head-to-head with his coach on the field.
With his added weight and strength, his physicality allowed him to contribute to certain promising attacks. He was able to help the team both in attack and support, having utilized his speed on one occasion to create a critical run.
Despite the setbacks, the team is focused on finishing the season strong. With several games ahead, they are determined to prove that they can overcome adversity and reclaim the progress they lost during the war. Hamza’s journey signifies that even in the face of war and disruption, athletes can adapt, grow, and keep moving forward in both self-expression and finding purpose.