The Other Dimensions of Sport

Abstract

The standard of sports in Lebanon is at an all-time low. The country’s capital, Beirut, suffers from a lack of sports infrastructure and sports culture that is vital for the advancement of Lebanese athletes. More importantly, the approach to sports in the region is lacking. Reaching full potential in sports rests not only on the physical strength of the athlete, but also on the mental and spiritual. Al-Wah’a is a holistic athletic center of excellence that aims to support Lebanese athletes in reaching their full potential and achieving national and international success. Community involvement in sports is a crucial factor in total athlete performance, thus, the sports-system is brought together by a dynamic public-private program that serves the country’s top athletes in addition to the community as a whole. Embedded in nature, the center establishes a spiritual connection by closely following biophilic principles of design. In addition, Al Wah’a offers advanced research, learning, and counselling through different programmatic divisions to ensure constant intellectual advancement. The project thus offers a holistic approach to sports by ensuring the balance of all three aspects of mind, body and soul.