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Asian Youth Games: Lebanon Begins Its Campaign, Lea Khachfe Reaches the Quarter-Finals
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A focused start for the Lebanese delegation at the Youth Games in Bahrain. In teqball, Lea Khachfe put together an impressive run to reach the quarter-finals, while the Lebanese pairs gained valuable experience competing against top-level Asian opponents.
The 3rd edition of the Asian Youth Games opened for Lebanon in Manama with the rising sport of the moment: teqball. Competing in singles and doubles, Anthony Sabbagh, Rady Shebbo and Lea Khachfe delivered a focused first performance, highlighted by a quarter-final for Khachfe in singles and a notable victory in mixed doubles. Against already experienced nations, the experience gap was sometimes evident, but the indicators are positive as the delegation prepares for other sports.
Teqball: How It Works
Originating in Hungary, the sport combines football skills with a table-tennis format, played on a curved table. Players hit a football with any part of the body except hands and forearms in short, fast-paced and spectacular sequences. The game emphasizes control, touch and anticipating the ball’s bounce.
Khachfe in the Spotlight
In women’s singles, Lea Khachfe defeated India’s Raja Shri (2–0) and the Philippines’ Joelene Cruz (2–0), before losing to Bahrain’s Rawan Abdelaziz (0–2) and Indonesia’s Zahrotus Syafa (0–2). Her performance nevertheless takes her to the quarter-finals, confirming her potential and room for growth on the Asian circuit.
Men’s Draws: A Crash Course in Experience
In men’s singles, Rady Shebbo lost to Cambodia’s Rotana Meoun, Pakistan’s Mohammad Siddiqi and Kuwait’s Nasser Al-Saqr (0–2 in each match), paying a high price for the efficiency and consistency of already seasoned servers and returners.
Doubles: A Bright Spot in Mixed
In mixed doubles, the pair Anthony Sabbagh / Lea Khachfe lost their opening matches against the Chinese duo Zhang You / Luan (0–2) and the Thai pair Shira Katcha / Anan Chok (0–2). They immediately bounced back with a valuable win over India’s Anashoka / Adnish (2–1) before stopping in the quarter-finals against Malaysia’s Muhammad Putri / Danish Amirol (0–2).
In men’s doubles, Shebbo / Sabbagh were defeated by the Indonesian pair (Kamil Nabil / Mohammad Magraha), the Chinese pair (Zhang / Lin), the Kuwaiti pair (Abdullah Al-Wuhaibi / Abdulrahman Al-Kandari) and the Malaysian pair (Amirol / Bin Abdullah), all 0–2. This tough sequence will serve as valuable material going forward: first balls, first touches and trajectory reading to strengthen.
Behind the Scenes of the Delegation
Off the court, a training session in triathlon refereeing organized by the Asian Confederation brought together Lebanese Ali Al-Ajmi and Maggy Altonian, visited by the head of mission Wassim Ismaïl and delegation administrator Wassam Cherri. Arrivals continue in Manama for muay thai, triathlon and boxing, led by Sami Koblawi.
“We knew where the level was in Asia: it’s up to us to match it, point by point,” said the coach. The tone is set: absorb, correct, come back stronger.
Attention now turns to the debut of other sports. With Khachfe in good form and a mobilized staff, Lebanon aims to build on this groundwork and convert it into success in the coming days.
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