The Lebanese Taekwondo Federation has renewed its trust in Dr. Habib Zarifeh, re-electing him as president for a third consecutive term during the Electoral General Assembly held at Le Royal Hotel (Dbayeh). This meeting also served to elect a new administrative committee for a four-year term, marked by an election by acclamation.
A Unanimous Election
The General Assembly gathered 51 clubs out of the 59 eligible to vote, under the supervision of representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ibrahim Choueiri and Haidar Koleilat. The session was chaired by Youssef Abou Samra, the eldest non-candidate member, assisted by session secretary Samir Chaghouri.
Of the 23 initial candidacies submitted for the 9 seats on the administrative committee, 14 candidates withdrew, leading to an election by acclamation amidst applause from the members present.
A Team Ready for New Challenges
Following the election, a meeting was held to assign roles within the committee:
- President: Habib Zarifeh
- Vice President: Omar al-Masri
- Secretary General: Richard Abi Zeid
- Treasurer: Elie Nehme
- Accountant: Joe Khoury
- Advisors: Araksi Kambelian, Mohammad Kazan, Bachir Mrad and Hussein Zaiter
In his speech, Dr. Zarifeh emphasized the importance of continuity in preserving the achievements of previous terms while innovating to address new challenges facing Lebanese taekwondo.
A Remarkable Two-Term Track Record
The Ordinary General Assembly held prior to the election provided an opportunity to review the accomplishments of the past eight years. In his address, Dr. Zarifeh congratulated General Joseph Aoun on his election as president of the Republic before presenting a comprehensive report on the achievements under his leadership.
Under his guidance, Lebanese taekwondo has experienced significant growth, both administratively and athletically. Initiatives included development programs, referee training sessions and a strengthened presence on the international stage, positioning Lebanon among the most promising nations in this discipline.
Transparent Management Focused on the Future
During the session, Secretary General Elie Nehme presented and secured unanimous approval for the minutes of the previous meeting. Treasurer Omar al-Masri detailed the financial report, which was also approved by the assembly. Lastly, the 2025 budget, focused on infrastructure development and athlete preparation for international competitions, was validated.
Comments