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The Lebanese Taekwondo Federation (FLT) officially announced that Lebanon will host the final phase of the Asian Championship and the fifth edition of the Beirut Open from September 2 to 13.
Under the patronage of General Joseph Aoun, these two competitions will be held at the Nouhad Nofal Sports Complex in Zouk Mikael.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at Hôtel Le Royal. In front of an audience of VIPs – including the South Korean ambassador to Lebanon, Il Park, the President of the Asian Taekwondo Federation, Kyu Seok Lee, and the President of the Lebanese Taekwondo Federation, Dr. Habib Zarifeh – the master of ceremonies, Maria Jadem, gave a few words of welcome before giving the floor to Dr. Zarifeh.
A word from Zarifeh
In his speech, Habib Zarifeh thanked the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General Joseph Aoun, for his patronage of the two major international events. Zarifeh recalled that Lebanon had hosted the Asian Championship for the first time in 2021 under difficult health (COVID-19 pandemic) and economic conditions.
He also emphasized the close ties with the Asian Federation, headed by Kyu Seok Lee. Moreover, Zarifeh thanked the South Korean ambassador for his unconditional support for taekwondo in Lebanon. As usual, Habib Zarifeh thanked journalists and the media for their comprehensive coverage of Lebanese taekwondo throughout the year. He emphasized that all of the active commissions were carrying out their tasks to achieve the successful conclusion of the Asian Championship, which is a major new international event hosted by Lebanon, and the “Beirut Open.” Dr. Zarifeh concluded by wishing the Lebanese national team players success in winning colorful medals.
For his part, the President of the Asian Federation, Kyu Seok Lee, said that he was delighted to be in Lebanon to attend two major international events. He underlined the important role played by the Lebanese Federation, headed by Dr. Zarifeh, within the Asian family in the development and promotion of taekwondo.
Marc Harb, the Secretary General of the Lebanese Taekwondo Federation, added that the Asian Championship will take place from September 2 to 10, and the Beirut Open from September 11 to 13. Harb added that no fewer than 1,000 players from 39 countries will take part in these major sporting events, which will kick off in September at the Nouhad Nofal Sports Complex.
