As captain of the Beirut Club basketball team and a member of Lebanon’s national basketball squad, Aida Bakhos is a fireball who carries a great deal of pressure on her shoulders. Yet, she seems to take it all in her stride, as we discover in this exclusive interview.

What can you tell us about your basketball journey?

I have been part of the Lebanese national team since the age of 13 and won the Lebanese championship eight times. In order to pursue my dream of becoming a professional basketball player, I left Lebanon and moved to Texas, where I grew up and played for the Lady Hawks AAU team in Lubbock.I subsequently received a basketball scholarship to play at a division one school for Lamar University in Beaumont Texas.

What’s something not many people know about you?

In 2009, I decided to take couple of years off the basketball circuit and joined the US army. I served in the army for eight years, from 2011-2019.

What’s been your career highlight?

In summer 2023, it was an honor to represent Lebanon in Sydney, Australia. There, I was able to compete with the best players in the world and accomplish a lifelong ambition. It’s certainly an experience I will never forget and a story I will be sharing for years to come.

What do you miss most about Lebanon when you’re away from home?

Usually, I’m back in Texas visiting my family, so home to me is both Lebanon and the States. As Texas is dry, I miss the beach in Lebanon. I also miss my friends, the food and the nightlife, not to mention Lebanese hospitality, which is the best in the world.

When you’re not playing basketball, what do you enjoy doing?

During my free time, I like to go on long walks with my dogs. I usually take them to Mar Chaya, one of my favorite spots, where the scenery is pretty and the air is clean. I also like to go to Batroun and relax on the beach. I’m most definitely a beach person and love nothing more than sitting there for hours and staring at the water. Other things I enjoy are creating TikTok videos, being active on social media and expressing myself through fashion, especially through my extensive shoe collection!

Where do you usually spend the summer?

My favorite spots are definitely Byblos and Batroun. As I mentioned, I love the beach and the laid-back vibe of Batroun. There are plenty of activities and great restaurants too.

What advice would you give someone who is planning to visit Lebanon for the first time?

Lebanon is a very open-minded country, welcoming people from all walks of life: different cultures, races and religions. Tourists have a great time here, as there are so many things to do. The country is also small, so it is possible to drive from the mountains to the beach in the same day. I recommend that tourists do not leave Lebanon without seeing the Jeita Grottos and Harissa. Both are exceptional.

Where’s your hidden gem in Beirut?

I live in Baabdat, so Beirut is where I train and work. However, I do feel at home in the neighborhoods of Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael. They are hip and trendy.

What is your message to the Lebanese youth?

My message is to keep fighting and never give up on Lebanon. I know we are going through very hard times, and it is so easy to give up, but I believe that the youth are the backbone and the future of Lebanon. They will be the change that Lebanon needs.

What is your dream for Lebanon?

I dream that Lebanon will, once again, be the Paris of the Middle East.

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