Playing for Lebanon means more to Mannah
TIM Mannah played four Origin games for NSW in 2009 and 2010, but admits he’ll feel an even more special connection running out for Lebanon against France.
Mannah, an NRL veteran of 205 games for Parramatta, qualifies for the Cedars as his parents were born in Lebanon.
They came to Australia as youngsters as the country descended into civil war, but Mannah has never forgotten his roots and will have the first chance to play for his heritage in the team’s tournament opener in Canberra.
“It is different (to other representative football),” he said.
“This is more of a connection as in you’re playing for more than just your professional career. You’re playing because you are representing your family and a lot of people who have helped you get to where you are and a lot of people back home who have made you who you are.”
Mannah has already spoken extensively about his desire to change perceptions of Lebanese culture in Sydney during this year’s tournament.
“Over the past 10 or 15 years, a minority of Lebanese people have really given the broader Lebanese community a bad name,” he said this week.
“It’s a great chance for us to go out there on a big platform ... and show everyone the stereotype that we’ve held for a long time isn’t the real culture.”
After spending a week in camp with the Lebanese team, he said he had an even greater appreciation of the broader community he was representing back in the Middle East.
“It’s really interesting to hear their stories, how the game is growing back home and what they have done,” Mannah said.