Diana Farah

Dubai: President of the Lebanese Judo Federation Francois Saade has most recently been awarded with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Embassy of Japan on April 29.

Saade was conferred with the award for his outstanding contribution towards promoting Judo in Lebanon and strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Lebanon over many years.

Speaking to Arab News Japan, Saade said he was “very proud’ to receive the Japanese award as he considered it an honor.

“It was a big surprise to me when the responsible in the Japanese Embassy told me about this award,” he added.

Saade, who took over as president of the Lebanese Judo Federation in 1994, said he aspired to promote and develop the Judo sport in Lebanon with the assistance of the Japanese embassy and the Japanese Foundation, whom he had close relations with.

“The political relationship between Japan and Lebanon has always been excellent.

Japan has, until today, supported Lebanon in all circumstances, especially in sports relations particularly in the Judo sport,” he told Arab News Japan.

The Lebanese Judo Federation’s president said they had received many generous donations from the Japanese Foundation.

“In 1995, we received from the Japanese foundation a judo tatami, kimonos and different judo equipment for a value of $400,000,” Saade said.

He said they were also invited to Japan as a Judo team of 15 people, including athletes, coaches, and himself for a training camp for 15 days.

The Lebanese Judo Federation has since then been invited to Japan for various training camps.

“Due to the excellent relations, we were always the first invited to participate in different events organized by the Japanese embassy, which consolidate our relations,” Saade said.

He added that the Order of the Rising Sun award has motivated him “to develop relations between Japan and Lebanon much more, especially in the judo sport.”