The Asian Youth Taekwondo Competition and Beirut Tournament, organized by the Lebanese Taekwondo Federation, opened at the Nohad Nawfal sports complex (Zouk Mikael) under the patronage of the Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun. With the participation of 39 countries, the event attracted around four thousand spectators.
These competitors paraded before a large audience, carrying their national flag and expressing their dedication to the martial art of taekwondo.
Habib Zarifeh, President of the Lebanese Taekwondo Federation, spoke at the ceremony and said, “Welcome to all present. We are organizing the continental tournament for the second time and the Beirut open tournament for the fifth time. We will never give up. Lebanon has been going through a difficult economic situation for the last four years, and there was the explosion in the port of Beirut that hit the Lebanese capital. We’re trying to create a ‘taekwondo community’ away from corruption and dishonesty. I’d like to say to the Lebanese selection: you have the determination and the will to achieve good results in this continental competition. You are the true face of Lebanon and the hope of taekwondo in Lebanon, proudly representing your homeland. Show your big heart. Taekwondo has raised the name of the Lebanese cedar in international competitions and always will, with God’s grace. Many thanks to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General Joseph Aoun, for his sponsorship of these two events.”
The Asian taekwondo competitions and the Beirut tournament are scheduled to run until September 13.
