Latest news with #OmarSoliman
The Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
An insider's look at the 2025 Basketball Africa League semifinalists
Except for Zamalek, who won the inaugural BAL season with a perfect 6-0 record, no team in the league's history has reached the last four undefeated. This makes Al Ittihad Alexandria an exception. Another unique feat of the Egyptian giants is they are the only BAL debutant since the implementation of the conference system in 2022 to have 10 national team players, including three from South Sudan, Fiba's No 1 ranked team in Africa. Ittihad head coach Omar Soliman is the only former Olympian (Seoul 1988) among the semifinalists' head coaches, though Al Ahli assistant coach Rzig Amine played in the 2012 London Olympics as Tunisia's captain.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
An insider's look at the 2025 Basketball Africa League semifinalists
APR, Al Ahli, champions Petro and Al Ittihad contest last four at SunBet Arena Rwanda's APR face Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli in Wednesday's first 2025 Basketball Africa League playoffs semifinal (4pm) at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, then champions Petro de Luanda of Angola are up against Al Itthiad Alexandria of Egypt (7pm). Except for Petro, the other three teams are making their semifinal debuts. APR lost to Al Ahli twice in the 2025 Nile Conference. Here are some notable details of each semifinalist: Al Ahli Tripoli (7-1 win record in 2025 BAL) Al Ahli Tripoli, the winners of the 2025 Nile Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, are the only team among the four semifinalists that qualified for this BAL season through the Fiba-run Road to BAL qualifiers. The other three teams automatically qualified by winning their domestic leagues. Al Ahli are the second Libyan team to reach the BAL semifinals since last year's runners-up Al Ahly Libya. This semifinal is going to be pure cinema 🍿 AlAhli SC 🇱🇾 vs APR 🇷🇼 Watch the game live at 4PM: #BAL5 — Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) June 11, 2025 Tripoli are one of two teams to finish the conference round undefeated. The team has five Libyan national players on its roster, some of whom are potential picks for the 2025 AfroBasket, which will be held in Angola in August. Al Ahli Tripoli head coach Fouad Abou Chacra is also the head coach of the Libyan national team. The team holds a BAL record for the most points scored in a game, set in a 115—87 win against Nairobi City on May 18 in Kigali, Rwanda. Al Ittihad Alexandria (8-0) Except for Zamalek, who won the inaugural BAL season with a perfect 6-0 record, no team in the league's history has reached the last four undefeated. This makes Al Ittihad Alexandria an exception. Another unique feat of the Egyptian giants is they are the only BAL debutant since the implementation of the conference system in 2022 to have 10 national team players, including three from South Sudan, Fiba's No 1 ranked team in Africa. Ittihad head coach Omar Soliman is the only former Olympian (Seoul 1988) among the semifinalists' head coaches, though Al Ahli assistant coach Rzig Amine played in the 2012 London Olympics as Tunisia's captain. The wait is over. Semifinal style activated 🚨 Al Ittihad 🇪🇬 vs Petro de Luanda 🇦🇴 Watch the game live at 7PM: #BAL5 — Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) June 11, 2025 APR (5-3) Fully named Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Basketball Club, this is the second Rwandan team since the Patriots in 2021 to reach the BAL semifinals. The Rwandan champions lost twice to Al Ahli Tripoli in the Nile Conference. APR is the only team with a former NBA player and coach on its coaching staff — Sam Vincent joined the side after leading Johannesburg's unsuccessful qualifiers MBB in the Nile Conference in May. The APR duo of Nuni Omot and Aliou Diarra were named to the 2023 All-BAL First Team. Omot won the Most Valuable Player award and Diarra the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year award. Petro de Luanda (4-4) The Angolan champions have reached the BAL semifinals for a record fifth time. Petro holds the record for the most games played in the BAL, at 38. Last season, Petro reached the semifinals with an even record (3-3) before finishing 5-3.
Associated Press
24-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving Celebrates 20 Years of Entrepreneurship
From launching their business with a borrowed van to setting their sights on being a billion-dollar purpose-driven brand, College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving ® may appear to be a 20-year overnight success. However, the key to their success lies in their commitment to impact, values and an unwavering brand promise of trust and care. The team members have redefined the word 'H.U.N.K.S.' to stand for Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable, Service. 'Our HUNKS embody our Core Values and company purpose to Move the World by making a positive impact. Franchise owners and team members join our organization with the shared standards and vision for building leaders,' said Omar Soliman, Co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving ®. 'It started as a clever business name, but we are grateful for the incredible impact we've made in the past two decades and will continue to make into the future.' Not Just Junk - Making Meaningful Moves As an award-winning franchise brand, College HUNKS has helped launch hundreds of profitable small business owners, empowering owners to realize their American Dream. Franchisees have been recognized for their growth achievements by Inc. 5000 and numerous outlets for their charitable endeavors. The company has been consistently ranked by Entrepreneur, Franchise Business Review, Franchising World Magazine, Inc., and more. College HUNKS has also made headlines in the media over the past two decades. The brand became the first company to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with a collegiate athlete and continues to support future leaders across various disciplines. Founders Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman also appeared on the first episode of ABC's hit show Shark Tank and later appeared on the most recent season premiere of CBS' Undercover Boss. A Bigger Purpose As a socially-conscious and purpose-driven company, College HUNKS supports various charitable initiatives. The organization was named Community Hero by U.S. Hunger and has donated over 5 million meals to the nonprofit through its 2-for-1 giving program. Additionally, the company provides free moving services for victims of domestic violence, helping hundreds transition to safer environments. They partner with local charities and non-profits like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity ReStore, proudly donating and recycling up to 70% of all items they haul. College HUNKS is dedicated to the military and proudly has more than 15% veteran-owned franchises in their system. Named a Top Franchise for Veterans, the company provides special benefits and incentives to help veterans find their career path after service. 'Throughout our 20 years, we are incredibly proud to have positively impacted the lives and economies of so many communities across the country and even into Canada,' said Nick Friedman, Co-Founder and Visionary of College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving ®. In recognition of College HUNKS' charitable efforts, Tampa Bay Mayor Castor presented the key to the city to co-founders Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman during the brand's 20th Reunion Ceremony for their economic and social contributions, particularly for their hurricane cleanup efforts, in which they hauled more than 500 truckloads of debris, in the Tampa Bay area. 'We have achieved a number of goals and helped others achieve theirs,' added Soliman. 'We believe we can keep growing and become a billion-dollar company, maximizing our potential and impact in the communities we serve!' To learn more about College HUNKS, including franchising opportunities, visit About College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving ® College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving ® was originally founded by two college buddies with a beat-up cargo van and now has more than 200 franchises providing full-service tech-enabled residential and commercial moving, junk removal, donation pickups, and labor services in the United States as well as Canada. H.U.N.K.S., which stands for Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable, Service, is a socially conscious, values-based organization and has a national partnership with U.S. Hunger, which strives to end childhood hunger. The brand was awarded the Community Hero award by U.S. Hunger in 2022 and has donated over 5 million meals. The company strives to become recognized as an iconic brand, renowned for its world-class company culture and service, while also providing a viable employment and franchise opportunity to pursue personal and professional fulfillment. 786-605-9228PhotosHERE PUB: 02/24/2025 08:34 AM/DISC: 02/24/2025 08:34 AM
